Introduction to the Incident
A Collin County man has been identified as the shooter alleged to have fired “indiscriminately” at a Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement office building this week, leaving one detainee dead and two others critically injured, federal officials said at a Thursday news conference. Joshua Jahn, 29, of Fairview, acted alone when he targeted ICE agents with a long-range rifle early Wednesday, and was not intending to harm any detainees, according to Nancy Larson, acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.
Investigation and Motive
Investigators have been analyzing devices, data and writings recovered from Jahn’s home, hoping to learn why he might have held “anti-ICE” sentiments. Larson said they discovered a collection of handwritten notes, which suggested the shooting was a premeditated attack — “months in the making” — to vent Jahn’s hatred for the federal government. In one of the notes, Jahn referred to ICE’s work as “human trafficking,” and in another, he expressed his intent to kill ICE agents and cause property damage to the office building, Larson said, adding he specifically mentioned a desire to minimize damage to detainees or other innocent people.
The Shooting Incident
“The tragic irony for his evil plot here is that it was a detainee who was killed and two other detainees that were injured when he fired into the sally port,” Larson said. No law enforcement officers were hurt. The shots continued as federal agents rescued detainees from transport vans. Officials said the three detainees were inside a 10-passenger van when they were shot, and were unable to flee on their own. As is practice, the detainees were in restraints in the vehicle and had to be freed by agents in order to escape, officials said.
Photos: Shooting leaves 2 dead, 2 wounded at Dallas ICE office
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Aftermath and Response
Joseph Rothrock, special agent in charge of the FBI Dallas field office, said Jahn was carrying out an “ambush-style attack” when he opened fire on the facility off the highway in the Stemmons Corridor. Photos showed several bullet holes in the windows of the building. Authorities declined to name the person killed or provide an update on the status of the two who were wounded. Rothrock said the process for notifying next of kin and consulates was not complete. According to the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, one of the men who was seriously injured is a Mexican citizen.
Shooter’s Death and Investigation
Jahn was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on the roof of a nearby building that houses an immigration law practice, officials said. At the news conference, Larson said Jahn was seen driving about 3 a.m. Wednesday with a ladder attached to his vehicle, which authorities believe he used to access the roof. Officials said the firearm used in the shooting was a bolt-action rifle Jahn obtained legally in August.
Related Incidents and Reactions
Shortly after the shooting, FBI Director Kash Patel posted a picture to X of five unspent rounds purportedly recovered from the scene in a stripper clip, which is often used to quickly load rounds into a firearm that does not have a detachable magazine. One bullet had the words “ANTI-ICE” written on it in what appeared to be marker. Patel posted Thursday a list of additional details discovered during the investigation, including that the shooter downloaded a document listing Homeland Security facilities and that he conducted multiple searches pertaining to the shooting that killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk earlier this month.
Ongoing Investigation and Security Measures
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said on social media that security will be increased at ICE facilities across the country as local and statewide leaders, including Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, call for an end to “political violence.” At a news conference Wednesday, Cruz referenced Kirk’s killing and implored an end to rhetoric demonizing ICE and Border Patrol agents. “Look, in America, we disagree. That’s fine,” Cruz said. “That’s the democratic process, but your political opponents are not Nazis.”
Conclusion
The shooting at the Dallas ICE office is a tragic incident that highlights the need for increased security measures and a call to end political violence. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the motive behind the attack. The incident has sparked a nationwide conversation about the importance of respecting the democratic process and the need to protect federal agents and facilities.
FAQs
Q: Who was the shooter in the Dallas ICE office incident?
A: The shooter was identified as Joshua Jahn, 29, of Fairview.
Q: What was the motive behind the shooting?
A: The motive is still under investigation, but authorities believe Jahn held "anti-ICE" sentiments and was targeting ICE agents.
Q: How many people were injured or killed in the shooting?
A: One detainee was killed, and two others were critically injured.
Q: What type of firearm was used in the shooting?
A: A bolt-action rifle was used in the shooting.
Q: What is being done to increase security at ICE facilities?
A: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced that security will be increased at ICE facilities across the country.
