Police respond to a shooting at a Dallas ICE office on Wednesday. CNN
On Wednesday morning, a quiet immigration centre in Dallas turned into a scene of chaos. A gunman fired shots from a nearby building at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office. The shooter fired wildly, hitting three detainees. One person died, and two others were seriously hurt, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Visitors and staff scrambled for safety as bullets flew. Some worried about loved ones inside the facility. Officials have since launched a full investigation.
Suspect Found Dead at Scene
Authorities identified the suspect as 29-year-old Joshua Jahn, a Dallas-area resident. Law enforcement said Jahn died by suicide at the scene. Officials have not officially confirmed the name but shared details through sources.
Jahn faced a drug charge a decade ago for selling marijuana but had no recent criminal record. He voted in the 2020 Democratic primary but has not voted since, election records show.
Who Were the Victims?
All three injured detainees were in the U.S. illegally and were awaiting transfer to longer-term detention centres, ICE said. The shooting happened while they sat in a secure holding area called a sally port.
One injured detainee is a Mexican citizen. Mexico’s government expressed concern and asked for full details and access to their national. The victims’ names remain private.
Possible Motive Points to Anti-ICE Sentiment
Officials have not declared a clear motive, but FBI Director Kash Patel said evidence suggests an ideological reason. Shell casings found at the scene had the words “ANTI-ICE” written on them. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the shooter aimed to harm as many people as possible inside the building, not targeting any specific area.
FBI agents called the event a targeted act of violence.
Political Reactions Stir Debate
Some political figures blamed political rhetoric for encouraging violence. Former President Donald Trump said the “radical left Democrats” fuel hostility toward ICE workers. Vice President JD Vance also suggested the shooting was politically driven, although he gave no evidence.
Ongoing Investigation
Law enforcement continued combing the area for clues. They searched a car near the suspect’s last known location, which had maps and notes about radioactive fallout. The vehicle was cleared after a bomb squad inspection.
Officers also searched Jahn’s home and nearby areas as part of their investigation.
About the Dallas ICE Facility
This ICE office usually holds detainees for a short time before moving them to bigger centres. The facility has a few holding cells and processes thousands of people annually. On average, detainees stay about 14 hours there.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the state will continue its strict immigration enforcement without delay.
