Sniper Attack at Dallas ICE Facility Leaves One Dead, Two Critically Wounded
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, violence erupted at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Dallas when a gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop. The attack left one detainee dead, two others critically injured, and ended with the shooter taking his own life.
Authorities have identified the suspect as 29-year-old Joshua Jahn, a man with ties to both North Texas and Oklahoma. The shooting unfolded at around 6:40 a.m., targeting a transport van that was carrying detainees into the facility. Witnesses and officials say Jahn positioned himself on the roof of an adjacent building, where he used a rifle to fire multiple rounds into the vehicle. By the time law enforcement stormed the rooftop, Jahn had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Suspect
Investigators quickly began piecing together Jahn’s background. Records show that his parents live in the Collin County town of Fairview, where federal agents were later seen searching the family home. Jahn may have also been living in Durant, Oklahoma. His known criminal history was limited—he was arrested in 2015 on a marijuana possession charge but had no record of violent offenses.
Family members, including his brother, described him as not especially political or engaged in ideological debates. Yet evidence recovered at the scene suggested otherwise. Shell casings near Jahn’s position were marked with the words “ANTI-ICE,” raising the possibility that his attack was ideologically motivated. Investigators also discovered writings on his vehicle, including cryptic references to “radioactive fallout,” which suggested an unstable state of mind in the days or hours before the shooting.
Confusion and Casualty Reports
In the hours immediately following the attack, reports about the number of casualties varied. Some early accounts suggested two detainees had died, while others reported one death and two critically injured. Homeland Security officials later confirmed the latter: one detainee killed, two fighting for their lives in local hospitals.
Federal Investigation
The FBI’s Dallas field office has classified the shooting as an act of targeted violence. While investigators continue to comb through Jahn’s social media, electronic devices, and personal connections, no ties to organized extremist groups have yet been established. Authorities are also looking into whether Jahn had any accomplices or if his actions were planned entirely on his own.
Political and Public Reaction
The attack immediately drew strong reactions from across the political spectrum. Former President Donald Trump placed blame on what he described as “Radical Left Democrats” for vilifying ICE, arguing that anti-ICE rhetoric was fueling violence against law enforcement. Vice President JD Vance likewise condemned the shooting, stressing that attacks on law enforcement must end. Texas Governor Greg Abbott vowed to support ICE and enhance state cooperation with federal authorities to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Mexican government confirmed that at least one of the wounded detainees is a Mexican national, highlighting the international dimensions of the tragedy.
Unanswered Questions
Even as more details emerge, key questions remain unresolved. Was Jahn acting out of a deeply held political conviction, or was the attack the result of personal instability? Why was the ICE facility vulnerable to sniper fire from a nearby rooftop? And what can be done to protect detainees, staff, and law enforcement from similar threats in the future?
What is clear is that the Dallas shooting has become the latest in a disturbing series of violent incidents targeting political or governmental institutions in the United States. Coming on the heels of other high-profile attacks, it underscores the volatile climate and raises fresh concerns about the rising tide of political violence across the country.