A tragic shooting at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Dallas has left two people dead and two others wounded, prompting a sweeping federal investigation into what authorities are calling an act of “targeted violence.”
The incident occurred early Wednesday morning, September 24, around 6:40 a.m. local time, when a gunman opened fire from the rooftop of a building adjacent to the ICE facility on North Stemmons Freeway. The shooter, identified as 29-year-old Joshua Jahn, later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
🔫 Victims and Motive
The victims were reportedly ICE detainees who had recently been taken into custody and were undergoing processing. One died at the scene, while two others were transported to the hospital in critical condition. No federal law enforcement officers were injured.
Authorities recovered shell casings near Jahn’s body engraved with the phrase “ANTI ICE,” suggesting an ideological motive. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the agency is treating the shooting as a targeted attack against federal law enforcement.
🕵️ Background on the Shooter
Jahn had a prior felony conviction for marijuana delivery and had lived in both Texas and Oklahoma. His former employer described him as “lost” but not outwardly troubled. Family members expressed shock, saying he didn’t appear politically motivated or hostile toward ICE.
🏛️ Political Fallout
The shooting has reignited debate over the safety of immigration officers and the rhetoric surrounding ICE. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem condemned the attack, warning that “dehumanizing ICE agents” has real-world consequences. Vice President JD Vance and Senator Ted Cruz echoed calls to tone down inflammatory language, with Cruz stating, “Your political opponents are not Nazis”.
🚨 Increased Security and Response
The Dallas ICE office has suspended public processing through the weekend, and detainees scheduled to report have been redirected to other facilities. Federal agencies including the FBI, DHS, and ATF are actively investigating the case, and additional security measures are being considered for ICE offices nationwide.
This incident marks one of the most serious attacks on a federal immigration facility in recent years. As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about how ideology, mental health, and access to firearms intersect in acts of domestic violence.