A shooting at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Dallas has left one detainee dead and two others injured, officials confirmed. The shooter also died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
According to NBC News, citing law enforcement sources, the suspect has been identified as 29-year-old Joshua Jahn.
Dallas police responded to the scene around 6:40 a.m. on Wednesday. In a statement, they said the preliminary investigation shows the suspect opened fire on a government building from a nearby location. Two victims were taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds, one died at the scene, and the suspect is deceased.
The Department of Homeland Security initially reported two detainee fatalities but later corrected the statement, confirming only one detainee was killed. Two others were shot and are in critical condition. Officials said the shooter fired indiscriminately at the ICE building, including at a van in the sallyport where the detainees were hit.
One of the critically injured detainees is a Mexican national, Mexico’s foreign ministry confirmed. They are providing support to the victim’s family and seeking permission to visit the hospitalized citizen.
At a news conference, FBI officials said shell casings found near the shooter contained anti-ICE messages. One unspent casing was engraved with the phrase “ANTI ICE.” The FBI is investigating the incident as targeted violence. No law enforcement officers were harmed.
Former President Donald Trump commented on social media, calling the shooting “despicable” and blaming “radical left Democrats” for anti-ICE rhetoric. He referenced plans to sign an executive order targeting domestic terrorism networks, though there is no evidence linking the shooter to any organization, including antifa.
Senator Ted Cruz called the shooting politically motivated and noted it was the third such attack targeting ICE or Customs and Border Protection in Texas.
Parkland Hospital in Dallas confirmed receiving two patients from the shooting but did not provide details on their conditions.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated that while the motive is still unknown, ICE personnel are facing increasing violence, which she said must stop.Law enforcement officials told CNN that at least two of the victims were ICE detainees. Todd Lyons, the acting ICE director, informed the network that the scene is secure and confirmed three people were shot and hospitalized. An ICE spokesperson also told NBC News that all three shooting victims were detainees.
Dan Bongino, the deputy director of the FBI, stated that the agency is working closely with state and federal law enforcement partners at the crime scene in Dallas.
JD Vance described the shooting as an “obsessive attack on law enforcement” that “must stop.” In a post on X, the vice-president wrote, “I’m praying for everyone hurt in this attack and for their families.” Vance claimed the suspect was a “left-wing extremist,” though law enforcement has not confirmed this. As of Wednesday afternoon, the motive remained unknown. Vance added, “There’s some evidence that we have that’s not yet public, but we know this person was politically motivated to go after law enforcement,” without providing further details.
John Cornyn, a Republican senator from Texas, called the shooting “horrific” and said, “While law enforcement investigates, I am keeping everyone impacted in my prayers.” He noted that his staff has been in contact with federal and local officials in Dallas and pledged to ensure all necessary resources are available for the investigation.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated that “Texas fully supports ICE” and emphasized, “This assassination will NOT slow our arrest, detention, and deportation of illegal immigrants.” He added that the state will collaborate with ICE and the Dallas Police Department to determine the shooter’s motive.
During a news conference, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson urged residents to “be patient, remain calm, and let our law enforcement partners and our police department do their job.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the Texas ICE facility shooting designed with clear natural questions and direct answers
FAQs Shooting at Texas ICE Facility
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What happened at the ICE facility in Texas
A gunman opened fire at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Texas One person was killed and two others were wounded
2 When and where did this shooting occur
The shooting happened on at an ICE facility in
3 Who was shot
According to initial reports the person killed was the shooter The two wounded individuals were ICE employees
4 What is ICE
ICE stands for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement It is a federal government agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws within the United States
5 Has a motive been identified
Investigators found shell casings at the scene with an antiICE message written on them suggesting the attack was motivated by opposition to the agency
Advanced Detailed Questions
6 What does an antiICE message mean
It indicates the shooter held strong negative views against ICE AntiICE sentiments are often related to disagreements with the agencys immigration enforcement policies and practices
7 Were any immigrants or detainees harmed in the attack
Initial reports indicate the violence was directed at the facilitys office and employees not at the detention area where immigrants are held No detainees were reported injured
8 How are officials responding to the incident
Federal state and local law enforcement agencies are conducting a joint investigation ICE and Department of Homeland Security officials have condemned the violence and are reviewing security protocols
9 What is the difference between an ICE office and an ICE detention center
An ICE office is primarily an administrative building where employees work on cases A detention center is a secure facility where individuals facing immigration proceedings are held
10 Has there been violence against ICE facilities or employees before
Yes there have been previous protests and isolated incidents of vandalism or threats targeting ICE facilities reflecting the highly polarized debate around immigration in the US
Practical Broader Context Questions
