Dallas anti-ICE shooting: Gunman used Nazi-era Mauser rifle, FBI confirms

A gunman described as anti-ICE opened fire on a bus unloading detainees at a Dallas federal building, killing one person and wounding two others, the FBI said Thursday. Investigators confirmed the weapon used was an antique 8mm Mauser bolt-action rifle, and that the gunman obtained the firearm in August. The shooter, identified as Joshua Jahn, 29, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene. Authorities said no ICE officers were injured in the attack.

The shooting occurred at a sallyport of the federal building, where a detainee transport bus was unloading when gunfire erupted. Investigators recovered a stripper clip at the scene with a bullet inscribed with the words ANTI ICE, a detail investigators described as part of the initial evidence collection. The 8mm Mauser rifle is a manually operated firearm that requires the user to cycle the bolt between shots, a characteristic cited by firearms experts when discussing the weapon used in the Dallas attack.

Relatives described Jahn as someone familiar with firearms but not known to be an accomplished marksman. His brother, Noah Jahn, told NBC News that the gunman could handle a rifle but did not consider him a skilled shooter. Federal and local investigators have not publicly linked Jahn to any organized group, though authorities have said they are examining his motivations and any potential ties to extremist ideologies as part of the broader review.

The weapon Jahn used belongs to a long lineage of Mauser bolt-action rifles that emerged from Germany in the late 19th century and saw extensive use in World War I, World War II, and later by hunters and collectors. The 8mm Mauser cartridge, the family of cartridges associated with these rifles, remains widely known for its historical significance and its continued presence in antique-firearm markets. Experts noted that the rifle used in the Dallas shooting would have required manual operation for each round, limiting its rate of fire compared with semiautomatic rifles commonly found in more recent mass-casualty incidents.

The incident drew swift political reaction from across the spectrum. Former President Donald Trump criticized what he described as radical left Democrats’ rhetoric, saying the rhetoric surrounding immigration policies and enforcement has contributed to violence. In accompanying remarks, officials stressed that investigators will pursue every lead while avoiding speculation about motive until evidence is fully analyzed.

As investigators continue to piece together the timeline of events and Jahn’s path to the rifle, authorities emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing. The attack underscores ongoing concerns over how firearms, including antique models that are still circulating in legal markets, can be obtained and used in highly sensitive settings, as well as the broader national debate over security at immigration facilities and the factors that drive violence against migrants and federal personnel.

The federal investigation will continue to examine the sequence of events, the origin of the weapon, and the broader context that may illuminate Jahn’s intent. In the meantime, the Dallas community and federal agencies are left to process the human toll of the incident, as investigators seek to prevent similar acts and authorities reassess procedures around detainee transportation and facility security.