Dallas ICE shooting: Gunman Joshua Jahn killed two detainees and then killed himself, officials say

A gunman opened fire at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Dallas on Wednesday, killing two detainees and later taking his own life, officials said. The shooting began around 6:10 a.m. local time as migrants were being transported in an unmarked ICE van, with authorities describing the attack as occurring from an elevated position on a roof adjacent to the facility. Investigators said the violence appeared targeted at migrants inside the transport vehicle, and no law enforcement officers were injured.

The gunman has been identified as 28-year-old Joshua Jahn, a Texas native who lived in the state and had a scattered history with employment and politics. Authorities recovered a bullet casing at the scene engraved with the words anti-ICE, a detail that has prompted investigators to explore possible anti‑law-enforcement sentiment as a factor. A disturbing poster was found on Jahn’s car, showing a map labeled with a claim of radioactive fallout from nuclear detonations that, according to the image, had passed over much of the United States, with the West Coast shown most prominently. Law enforcement officials stressed that investigators have not yet established a motive and that the early findings remain under review.

Director Kash Patel said the bullet casing recovered at the scene bore the phrase "anti-ICE," underscoring the focus of investigators on possible ideological motives alongside any personal grievances. Homeland Security spokesman Tricia McLaughlin told CNN that the death toll stood at two on Wednesday afternoon, with a third person listed in serious condition. Witnesses described rapid-fire bursts that filled the morning air as the attack unfolded.

The incident unfolded as Jahn opened fire from an elevated position while migrants were inside the transport van. NBC News quoted Jahn’s brother, Noah, saying he did not believe his brother was particularly interested in politics or immigration issues and had not voiced strong opinions on ICE. Noah Jahn told NBC that his brother had been unemployed but had previously worked as a coder and was planning to move in with their parents in Oklahoma. The siblings grew up in Allen, Texas, and participated in Boy Scouts together; Noah described his brother as "unique" but offered no explanation for the violence.

The two detainees who were killed have not been identified publicly by authorities. A third person involved in the incident was reported to be in serious condition. Witness Arianny Sierra, who was waiting for her husband to return from an ICE appointment at the facility, told NBC News she heard a volley of shots and described the scene as chaotic as officers responded and paramedics arrived to treat the injured.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott condemned the attack as horrific and cowardly, adding that the state would work with federal authorities to detain and deport anyone in the country illegally and to uphold border security. Abbott spokesman George T. stated that the state would not allow such violence to derail enforcement of immigration law and maintenance of public safety. Federal and local investigators described a meticulous and ongoing inquiry, with forensic teams processing the site and reviewing surveillance footage, ballistic evidence, and Jahn’s known associations.

Officials emphasized that Jahn acted alone, and investigators have not linked the attack to any specific organization or group at this stage. The ICE facility in Dallas has not released further details about the operation that was occurring on the quiet Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, and investigators noted that the migrants involved were in custody at the time of the shoot.

As the investigation continues, federal authorities have pledged to examine all potential triggers, including Jahn’s personal history, weapon access, and social or online activity in the days leading up to the shooting. The broader context of immigration enforcement and detention policies in the United States remains a topic of political debate, and the incident adds to a string of security concerns surrounding detention facilities nationwide. In the wake of the shooting, officials urged the public to await official findings and cautioned against drawing premature conclusions while investigators collect and review evidence.

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