A gunman armed with a rifle carried out a shooting from a neighboring rooftop towards a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) site in Dallas on Wednesday. The attack resulted in the death of one detainee and injuries to two others before the shooter took his own life, as per authorities.
Initially, officials reported that two of the three shot detainees had died, but the Department of Homeland Security later clarified that two individuals were in critical condition. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Joshua Jahn by law enforcement, remains under investigation, with details kept confidential by the authorities speaking to The Associated Press anonymously.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear. A photo shared by the agency’s head, Kash Patel, on social media displayed a bullet marked with “ANTI-ICE,” suggesting a potential motivation.
The Department of Homeland Security conveyed that the shooter indiscriminately fired at the ICE building, targeting a van in the sallyport where the victims were located. Fortunately, no ICE agents sustained injuries during the incident.
The shooting transpired at the local field office in Dallas, where short-term processing for individuals in custody takes place. During a press conference held earlier, limited information was provided about the shooting, including the victims’ identities and the assailant’s name.
The FBI has initiated an investigation into the incident as an act of targeted violence. This event represents the latest instance of deliberate violence in the United States, occurring just two weeks post the fatal shooting of conservative figure Charlie Kirk by a gunman on a rooftop.
Witnesses described harrowing moments during the shooting, including Edwin Cardona, an immigrant from Venezuela, who was at the ICE building with his son during the attack. The area was swiftly secured, and individuals were relocated to a safer location within the building after gunshots were heard. Cardona expressed concern for his family’s safety during the ordeal.
The ICE facility’s location near Dallas Love Field, a major airport, and adjacent to hotels frequented by travelers, added to the gravity of the situation. Traffic cameras captured the normally bustling freeway deserted, with vehicles at a standstill following the incident.
Public figures, including U.S. Vice-President JD Vance and Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, condemned the violence, urging an end to targeted attacks on law enforcement agencies like ICE. However, differing perspectives emerged, with Democratic U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey criticizing certain officials’ handling of the incident narrative.
The shooting deeply impacted local faith leaders like the Rev. Ashley Anne Sipe, who regularly holds vigils outside the ICE facility. Sipe emphasized the need to address violence constructively, highlighting the emotional toll on the community.
This incident follows a recent bomb threat at the same ICE facility and a previous attack at a Texas immigration detention center that injured a police officer. Prosecutors have linked several individuals to the prior assault, underscoring concerns about escalating violence targeting law enforcement in Texas.
