Dallas ICE attacker left notes calling agents human traffickers, vowing terror attack, investigators say
FBI and prosecutors describe the Dallas shooting as terrorism aimed at law enforcement; one detainee killed, two wounded; suspect died by suicide as notes recovered from his residence outlined a premeditated plan
A gunman killed one detainee and wounded two others at a Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility before taking his own life, in what federal authorities are investigating as a terrorist act intended to intimidate law enforcement. The attack, occurring Wednesday and described by officials as part of a troubling pattern at ICE sites, prompted a wide federal response and an ongoing investigation into the attacker’s motives and preparations.
Nancy Larson, acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas, told reporters that the shooting appeared to be meticulously planned. The 29-year-old gunman, identified by authorities as Joshua Jahn, fired from a rooftop at around 3 a.m. Wednesday, then died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Larson said Jahn likely acted alone and that video showed him driving with a large ladder strapped to his car, which investigators believe he used to access the roof. Detainees inside the facility were struck by the bullets as gunfire sprayed the length of the building, she added, with one detainee killed and two wounded who remained in treatment.
FBI agents and local investigators quickly moved to process the crime scene and execute search warrants on Jahn’s devices and at his residence. Inside a collection of papers, they found notes that appear to outline a detailed attack plan and target areas at the ICE facility. Larson said one handwritten page explicitly stated, “yes, it was just me,” confirming Jahn as the author of the materials. The notes depicted a strategy to maximize lethality against ICE personnel while attempting to minimize harm to detainees and bystanders, and they described the attacker’s intent to terrorize ICE employees and disrupt operations. Investigators also noted phrases in the writings that referenced calling the attack “real terror,” and that Jahn viewed ICE employees as those who show up to “collect a dirty paycheck.”
Authorities described the writings as showing a clear focus on targeting ICE personnel rather than detainees, and they indicated Jahn hoped his actions would create a sense of ongoing fear among the workforce. The notes suggest the attacker sought to sever the agency’s ability to operate by sowing fear and creating chaos at the facility. Investigators also highlighted a line implying an attempt to erase digital traces, underscoring the attacker’s concern about his online footprint.
The investigation also underscored Jahn’s pre-attack preparations. FBI Special Agent in Charge Joseph Rothrock said Jahn conducted a “high degree” of planning, tracking ICE agents and researching the office building. He acknowledged the potential for additional casualties, noting that Jahn appeared to anticipate dangerous consequences and recognized that detainees would likely be transported that morning. In addition to the weapon recovered in August, authorities said Jahn legally obtained an 8 mm bolt-action rifle that he used during the shooting.
The attack has intensified concerns about threats to federal officers. ICE field office director of Enforcement and Removal Operations Marcos Charles criticized the proliferation of publicly available tracking apps that some ICE officers have used, arguing such tools can expose officers to risk. “It’s a casting call to invite bad actors to attack law enforcement officers,” Charles said, adding that authorities have warned that publicizing officer locations could lead to more violence. He emphasized that the agency’s warning about such apps has been borne out by recent events.
Law enforcement officials said Jahn’s attack was not only violent but part of a broader pattern at ICE facilities, with Larson noting it was the agency’s third violent attack or threat in her four months as U.S. attorney. FBI officials stressed the need for continued investigations into pre-attack behavior, the digital footprint left behind by the suspect, and the precise vulnerabilities that allowed this incident to occur. They also stressed that the victims’ identities would be released only after families were notified and appropriate procedures completed.
As investigators move forward, federal authorities continue to coordinate across counterterrorism and ICE enforcement channels to determine how to strengthen protection for ICE facilities and personnel. Officials urged the public to remain vigilant and to report any information that might indicate threats to federal officers or attempts to plot violence. The case remains under active investigation, with prosecutors preparing charges related to the shooting and related materials found at Jahn’s residence.
The broader national security implications of the incident continue to be analyzed by federal authorities, who say the case highlights the persistent risks faced by law enforcement and the importance of monitoring potential pre-attack indicators. Officials stressed that no additional information about possible accomplices or wider networks had been identified at this stage, and they cautioned against drawing premature conclusions about the attacker’s motivations beyond the direct evidence gathered in the notes and the operational timeline surrounding the attack.
