Dallas ICE facility shooting kills two migrants; FBI investigates as targeted violence with anti-ICE messages on shells

At about 6:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, a gunman opened fire at a Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, killing two detainees and wounding a third before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The shooter was identified by authorities as Joshua Jahn, 29. The FBI said it is investigating the incident as an act of targeted violence and noted that anti-ICE messaging was found on shell casings recovered near the gunman. No law enforcement personnel were injured.

The attack occurred as detainees were being transferred into an unmarked van, with the sally port at the short-term facility open during the transfer. Investigators said the gunman fired from an elevated position on a nearby building, striking the migrants inside the vehicle and at other points around the facility. The gunman was later found dead on a rooftop from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities have not released a motive for the shooting, but the initial evidence points to an ideological motive related to ICE enforcement.

FBI Director Kash Patel announced via social media that, while the investigation is ongoing, an initial review of the evidence suggests an ideological motive behind the attack and emphasized that politically motivated assaults on law enforcement are not isolated incidents. The agency said anti-ICE messaging had been identified on ammunition recovered at the scene. Special Agent in Charge Joe Rothrock of the FBI’s Dallas field office said early evidence points to anti-ICE messaging on rounds found near the shooter and characterized the case as a targeted attack on ICE.

Dallas ICE’s acting field office director, Joshua Johnson, told reporters that the broader takeaway is the importance of reducing incendiary political rhetoric. He said the rhetoric surrounding immigration enforcement has real-world consequences and urged an end to divisive language that could inspire violence.

The incident drew rapid political reactions. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz condemned the attack and urged leaders to end politically motivated violence, saying debate over immigration policy should occur in Congress rather than through violence. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called it an assassination and pledged that it would not slow the state’s enforcement actions against illegal immigration, promising added support to ICE.Vice President JD Vance likewise urged an end to the violence against law enforcement and said his thoughts were with those hurt and their families.

DHS officials emphasized that the investigation remains at an early stage. Spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin noted that while the attack appears targeted, authorities are still determining the shooter’s exact planning horizon and whether any broader conspiracy was involved. She also highlighted that the incident follows months of heightened rhetoric around ICE that critics say has contributed to a climate of intimidation and violence toward enforcement personnel. California attorney general and other state officials have pointed to a pattern of incidents at ICE facilities across the country in recent months as a concern for public safety.

The Dallas facility has been the site of prior protests and confrontations. In August, a man entered the facility claiming a bomb threat, according to DHS officials. In recent weeks, the broader national conversation around ICE policy has intensified, with lawmakers and activists on both sides exchanging sharp rhetoric about immigration enforcement methods. Paxton, the Texas attorney general, pledged to continue combating violence against ICE and law enforcement more broadly, joining Cruz and Abbott in urging vigilance against threats.

The shooter, Joshua Jahn, was a 29-year-old Texas resident with a prior criminal record. His brother, Noah Jahn, told NBC News that he did not believe his brother was deeply engaged in politics and had not expressed strong opinions about ICE. Noah said Joshua, who had worked as a coder and was unemployed at the time, had been planning to move in with their parents in Oklahoma. He also said his brother was not a skilled marksman, and that the Jahn family background included ownership of a rifle. Federal investigators have not confirmed a political motive publicly, but the probe is examining whether anti-ICE sentiment played a role.

The shooting comes amid a series of attacks on ICE facilities across the United States in recent months. Earlier this year, shots were fired at ICE offices in San Antonio; in July, an incident outside an ICE facility in Alvarado left an officer with a gunshot wound but did not injure detainees or other officers; and a separate bomb-threat scare in Dallas occurred around the same period. Officials have cautioned against drawing premature conclusions and stressed that investigators will pursue every lead as they determine whether this incident reflects a broader pattern of anti-ICE violence or a stand-alone act.

As investigators collect evidence, including surveillance video, ballistic reports, and witness statements, the FBI and DHS agencies are coordinating with local authorities to determine if the attack was aimed specifically at ICE personnel or the broader enforcement mission. The investigation is expected to take days, with officials promising to keep the public informed as new details emerge. The incident has underscored concerns about political rhetoric and the safety of law enforcement personnel who enforce immigration laws, prompting renewed calls from lawmakers for calmer public discourse and accountability for violent actions.

The investigation remains open, and authorities have cautioned against speculation while they work to determine the shooter’s exact motive and any potential connections to organized extremist networks. Officials emphasized that the immediate priority is to provide support to the detainees’ families and to ensure the safety of ICE personnel and the community at large. The broader political atmosphere surrounding immigration policy is likely to be scrutinized in the coming days as more details emerge about the shooter’s background and the exact sequence of events that led to the attack.

The Dallas community, along with national lawmakers, will be watching closely as investigators piece together the timeline and motive behind the attack. The FBI has said it will provide updates as more evidence is reviewed, and officials have urged patience as the case unfolds. As the investigation continues, observers are likely to examine not only the shooter’s background but also the broader context of political rhetoric and its potential impact on violence against law enforcement and immigration enforcement personnel.