Dallas ICE facility shooting underscores anti-ICE sentiment amid heated politics

A gunman opened fire early Wednesday at a Dallas facility tied to immigration enforcement, killing a migrant and wounding two detainees before taking his own life, federal authorities said. Officials described the assault as a deliberate attempt to strike immigration-enforcement personnel, a development that heightened concern about the safety of ICE agents amid a volatile political climate surrounding immigration policy.

The shooter, identified as Joshua Jahn, 29, fired on a van that law enforcement officials believe was transporting federal officers involved in removal operations. The attack, which took place as ICE personnel were operating out of the facility, prompted an escalation in security measures at ICE sites and raised questions about the risks faced by agents in the field. The Trump administration characterized the incident as motivated by a hatred of the agency, while Jahn’s family said they had never heard him discuss immigration issues. Investigators recovered rounds with the words "Anti-ICE" scrawled on them, and FBI Director Kash Patel said Jahn left a chilling handwritten note at his home that stated, "Hopefully this will give ICE agents real terror, to think, 'is there a sniper with AP rounds on that roof?'" The note, officials said, suggested a degree of premeditation.

Patel and other officials also noted Jahn had previously searched for apps designed to track the locations of ICE officers and had downloaded a document listing Department of Homeland Security facilities, which they described as evidence of planning. One official described the incident as demonstrating a disturbing capability to target law enforcement, comparing the use of location-tracking apps to giving a would-be attacker a map to responders. In addition to the observed planning indicators, authorities said Jahn repeatedly searched for footage related to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in the days leading up to the Dallas attack. Marcos Charles, a member of ICE leadership, said the shooter used apps that purportedly show agents’ locations, though it remained unclear which app was used or how effective it was in directing the attack.

The incident is being viewed by some law enforcement insiders as a near-miss, given that one migrant was killed and two detainees were injured in the attack. An official described the gunfire as having ripped through the front entry, with holes found in windows and walls inside the office. The weapon was described as an eight-millimeter rifle firing rounds substantially larger than typical AR-15 ammunition, a detail that underscored the potential lethality of the attack.

As the investigation unfolded, ICE officials detailed the broader context in which such violence is occurring. Some officials pointed to record-high assaults on ICE staff as the agency has taken a more aggressive approach to enforcing immigration laws. The political climate around immigration has become a source of tension for federal authorities, with critics accusing the agency of aggressive policing and supporters arguing for stricter enforcement. An ICE insider described the environment as increasingly dangerous, saying, "The mood is grim, and it’s escalating."

Authorities said Jahn’s family, including his brother Noah Jahn, told reporters that he did not appear to be politically engaged. Noah Jahn told NBC News that his brother had no known interest in immigration debates and that he was unemployed, having previously worked as a coder and planning to move in with their parents in Oklahoma. Federal officials have indicated that Jahn’s background included a 2015 arrest on felony charges for delivering marijuana in quantities exceeding a quarter-ounce. Records show Jahn was a registered independent in the 2024 election but voted in Democratic primaries in March 2020. The Daily Mail contacted ICE for comment, with no immediate response at the time of publication.

The FBI has noted Jahn’s repeated searches for political content and for materials involving high-profile actions against conservative figures, including the Charlie Kirk incident, in the days preceding the Dallas shooting. Law enforcement sources stressed that while these searches are not proof of intent, they are part of the evidentiary landscape investigators are compiling as they examine the shooter’s motivations and triggers.

In the wake of the attack, ICE has ordered agents to avoid traveling alone and has stepped up security around raids and facilities. Internal voices within the agency described a sense of unease as agents confront what they perceive as a climate that normalizes or even praises violence against law enforcement personnel. Some officials emphasized that while politics often frames discussions about ICE, the immediate concern is protecting personnel on the ground and preventing future attacks.

The investigation is being conducted by federal authorities, with the Dallas field office coordinating with the FBI and other agencies. Investigators are examining Jahn’s communications, digital traces from his devices, and any social-media activity that could illuminate his motives. While the notes and app usage described by officials point toward a planning component, investigators cautioned that attribution of motive in acts of violence is a careful, ongoing process requiring corroboration from physical, digital, and testimonial evidence. Officials said the shooting underscores the ongoing risks faced by immigration enforcement personnel nationwide and the need for continued vigilance and protective measures in operations and facilities.