Introduction to the Incident
A second detainee shot in an attack on a Dallas immigration field office last week has died, his family said Tuesday. Miguel Ángel García Medina, 31, died early Tuesday morning after he was removed from life support, according to the League of United Latin American Citizens. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, also confirmed García Medina’s death. ICE said in a statement that García Medina was transported to Parkland Health Hospital after the shooting.
Background on the Attack
The attack happened as heightened immigration enforcement has generated a backlash against ICE agents and stirred fear in immigrant communities across the country. Authorities have said the gunman, 29-year-old Joshua Jahn, fired indiscriminately from a nearby rooftop. They said he hated the U.S. government and wanted to incite terror by killing federal agents. No ICE personnel were hurt in the shooting, and Jahn fatally shot himself following the assault.
Impact on the Family
García Medina leaves behind his wife, Stephany Gauffeny, and four children. His wife is also expecting the couple’s fifth child, according to LULAC. The couple had recently bought their first home. García Medina was a loving father to their children, Gauffeny said in a statement through LULAC. “His death is a senseless tragedy that has left our family shattered,” she said. “I do not know how to explain to our children that their father is gone.”
Response from Authorities and Community
Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente said in a news release Tuesday that the Mexican Consulate in Dallas was able to get permission for García Medina’s mom to come to Dallas. The families of both men who were killed have started fundraisers through GoFundMe. García Medina’s family started the fundraiser a few days after the attack, asking for help to cover his medical expenses and other financial assistance since he was the family’s main provider. The fundraiser had raised more than $68,000 as of Tuesday afternoon.
Other Victims and Their Conditions
The Mexican man was one of three detainees shot in the Sept. 24 attack on an ICE facility in Dallas. That attack initially left one man dead and two other detainees critically wounded. Officials previously identified the man who was killed in the attack as Norlan Guzmán Fuentes. The third man shot in the attack was Jose Andres Bordones-Molina, from Venezuela. His condition as of Tuesday is unknown, and a spokesperson for ICE did not immediately respond to an email asking for an update on his condition.
Community and National Reaction
The attack on the ICE facility is the latest instance of violence against the oft-criticized federal agency. Other incidents in Texas include a bomb threat in August and a shooting at an Alvarado detention facility in July. Dozens of immigrants showed up for scheduled meetings Monday to find the Dallas ICE office closed, leaving them with scant information about their cases.
Two detainees were killed, while the other was hospitalized in critical condition.
Ongoing Support and Investigations
The family of Guzmán Fuentes, the first victim, started a fundraiser Monday night and is seeking help bringing his body back to El Salvador so his family can say goodbye. That fundraiser had raised more than $2,600. Investigations into the attack are ongoing, with authorities working to understand the motivations behind Jahn’s actions and to ensure the safety and security of ICE facilities and personnel.
Dozens of immigrants showed up for scheduled meetings Monday to find a closed office.
Conclusion
The attack on the Dallas ICE facility has resulted in the loss of two lives and highlighted the dangers faced by immigration enforcement agents. It also underscores the need for continued support for the families of the victims and for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack. As the community and the nation come to terms with this tragedy, it is essential to remember the human impact of such incidents and to work towards creating a safer and more compassionate environment for all.
FAQs
Q: What happened at the Dallas ICE facility?
A: A gunman attacked the facility, shooting three detainees, two of whom have died.
Q: Who were the victims of the attack?
A: The two men who died were Miguel Ángel García Medina and Norlan Guzmán Fuentes.
Q: What is the condition of the third man shot in the attack?
A: The condition of Jose Andres Bordones-Molina, from Venezuela, is unknown as of the latest reports.
Q: Why did the gunman attack the ICE facility?
A: Authorities say the gunman hated the U.S. government and wanted to incite terror by killing federal agents.
Q: How can people support the families of the victims?
A: Fundraisers have been started on GoFundMe to help cover medical expenses, financial assistance, and to bring one of the victim’s bodies back to his home country for burial.
