Two dead, several wounded in Dallas ICE facility shooting; bullets found near shooter carry anti-ICE messages

Two migrants were killed and several others were wounded when a gunman opened fire at a Dallas facility used by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Wednesday morning, authorities said. The shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a confrontation with officers, and officials said the incident is being investigated as a potentially targeted act of violence. No ICE officers were reported injured, and the scene remained under lockdown as investigators collected evidence.

Bullet casings recovered near the shooter carried messages described by the FBI as anti-ICE in nature, according to a Dallas field office official. The FBI said it is treating the incident as targeted violence and noted that early evidence from rounds found near the shooter suggests a premeditated element aimed at ICE facilities. The agency emphasized that the motive remains under investigation as authorities work to identify those involved and determine any connections to broader political rhetoric.

Investigators said the gunman opened fire at the facility from an elevated position, firing at the building’s sallyport, a secured entry point used to process detainees. The shooting occurred as detainees were being loaded and unloaded from buses. The attack prompted a heavy law enforcement response, with the scene secured and portions of the surrounding area blocked off for hours. Authorities noted that the Dallas facility has been the target of threats and protests in recent months, underscoring a volatile environment around immigration enforcement sites.

In the immediate aftermath, political leaders weighed in. Texas Governor Greg Abbott pledged strong support for law enforcement and said the state would work with ICE and local authorities to pursue the shooter’s motive. Senator Ted Cruz condemned political violence and urged an end to demonizing opponents, saying, Your political opponents are not Nazis. Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson asked residents to pray for victims and families and asked for calm in a difficult moment for the city. Fort Worth police, neighboring city officials, and other leaders echoed calls for unity and prayers while condemning violence.

The investigation was already moving through multiple federal and local agencies. ICE officials said the entire Dallas field office was cooperating with the FBI and local law enforcement as agents continued to piece together the shooter’s identity and the sequence of events. DHS officials and the FBI stressed that no ICE officers were injured in the attack and that the protection of the public remains a priority as investigators work to determine why the facility was targeted.

Officials also provided a broader look at what could be at stake. The Dallas ICE facility has been used to process detainees after arrest and before transfer to longer-term detention facilities. Records and reporting from The New York Times indicate that thousands of detainees have passed through the building since it reopened under the current administration, though averages suggest most detainees stay for less than 24 hours before moving on. The rapid turnover and high volume at the site have, at times, bred tension and heightened security concerns among staff and detainees alike.

The broader political environment surrounding immigration policy continues to intersect with security concerns. A range of voices—from lawmakers to advocacy groups—have called for measured, nonviolent discourse while acknowledging that rhetoric can have real-world consequences. While some officials emphasized the need to protect federal personnel and facilities, others urged vigilance against threats to civil servants and the safety of communities across Texas and the nation.

As the investigation proceeds, authorities are expected to release additional details about the shooter, including identity confirmation and potential links to any organized or individual intent. The Dallas incident marks another high-profile wake-up call about the vulnerability of facilities tied to immigration enforcement and the ongoing challenge of balancing security with civil liberties.

Images from the scene show a heavy police presence outside the facility and investigators combing the area for clues, underscoring the rapid, multi-agency response that characterized the early hours of the investigation.

As new information becomes available, authorities will outline any operational changes at the Dallas ICE field office and any precautions being taken to protect staff and detainees. The incident will likely add to the ongoing national conversation about political tolerance, violence, and the safety of law enforcement personnel who enforce federal immigration laws.

Analysts say the combination of an on-site attack, the use of an elevated firing position, and the discovery of anti-ICE messages linked to the gunman could complicate investigators’ efforts to determine motive, particularly in a landscape where political rhetoric around immigration remains deeply polarized. In the meantime, communities in Dallas and across the state are left to process a chilling reminder that violence can intensify around contentious policy debates, even as officials reiterate commitments to protect those who enforce the law and those affected by immigration policies.