A shooter who killed at least one migrant and wounded several others during a brazen attack at a Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility has been identified as 29-year-old Joshua Jahn, according to multiple law enforcement sources.
The incident began shortly after 7 a.m. Central Time when Jahn opened fire on an unmarked ICE transport van carrying detainees. The van had just arrived at the facility when the shooting erupted, creating panic among migrants, staff, and nearby law enforcement. Authorities said Jahn fired “indiscriminately” before taking his own life as police closed in on him.
ICE confirmed in a statement that no officers were injured in the attack, though several detainees were struck by gunfire. At least one migrant was killed at the scene, while others remain hospitalized in critical condition.
Early reports suggested a second victim may have died in the hospital, but officials have not confirmed that detail.
Investigators revealed that bullets recovered at the scene were engraved with anti-ICE slogans, a chilling sign of Jahn’s political motivations. FBI Director Kash Patel released an image of the ammunition, with the phrase “Anti-ICE” visibly carved into the casings.
This morning just before 7am local time, an individual fired multiple rounds at a Dallas, Texas ICE facility, killing one, wounding several others, before taking his own life. FBI, DHS, ATF are on the ground with Dallas PD and state authorities.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) September 24, 2025
While the investigation is… pic.twitter.com/SMOyxiKLqA
“While the investigation is ongoing, an initial review of the evidence shows an ideological motive behind this attack,” Patel said in a statement. “These despicable, politically motivated assaults on law enforcement are not a one-off, and they underscore the real dangers facing those tasked with defending our nation’s immigration system.”
According to WFAA, Jahn fired from the rooftop of a nearby immigration attorney’s office, giving him a clear elevated position over the transport van. Police sources said his body was discovered with the weapon nearby after he fatally shot himself.
BREAKING: A shooting just took place at a Texas ICE facility.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 24, 2025
The sniper, firing from a rooftop, later died from a self-inflicted gunshot, according to Fox.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem confirms there are multiple fatalities and injuries.
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The attack has drawn sharp responses from Texas leaders and federal officials. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton condemned the violence, calling it a deliberate act of terror against law enforcement.
“We will continue to do everything in our power to combat the alarming increase of targeted attacks against ICE and all law enforcement by evil, twisted individuals,” Paxton wrote on X.
Vice President JD Vance echoed those concerns, writing, “The obsessive attack on law enforcement, particularly ICE, must stop. I’m praying for everyone hurt in this attack and for their families.”
Senator Ted Cruz addressed reporters during a press conference in Dallas, where he urged Americans to tone down heated rhetoric that could inspire violence. “We should not be putting language out there that inspires madmen to commit evil crimes,” Cruz said. “Stop it, please.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott also issued a strongly worded statement, vowing that the shooting would not deter his state’s immigration enforcement.
“This assassination will NOT slow our arrest, detention, and deportation of illegal immigrants,” Abbott wrote. “We will work with ICE and the Dallas Police Department to get to the bottom of the assassin’s motive and ensure justice.”
In response to the sniper attack, ICE Director Todd Lyons announced that all ICE facilities nationwide were being placed on heightened alert. “The safety of our personnel and detainees is our top priority,” Lyons said. “We are coordinating closely with federal, state, and local partners to secure every facility under our authority.”
The Dallas-area ICE facility where the shooting occurred has been a frequent target for pro-immigration demonstrators in recent months. Officials say threats against ICE operations have risen sharply, fueled by increasingly confrontational protests and online calls to disrupt immigration enforcement.
Wednesday’s sniper assault follows a series of disturbing incidents at ICE facilities across Texas. In August, 36-year-old Bratton Dean Wilkinson was arrested after allegedly making a bomb threat at the entrance of the same Dallas processing center.
Authorities say he claimed to have explosives in a backpack and displayed what appeared to be a detonator strapped to his wrist. He was charged with making terroristic threats.
Just weeks earlier, on July 4, armed attackers targeted another ICE facility in Alvarado, Texas. Ten people wearing tactical gear were arrested after opening fire on law enforcement officers stationed at the building. Officials described that attack as a coordinated effort to disrupt ICE operations. The suspects now face charges of terrorism and aggravated assault.
The sniper’s attack is expected to intensify national debates over border security, immigration enforcement, and the growing climate of political violence. Supporters of ICE argue the incident highlights the increasingly dangerous environment federal agents face on the front lines, while critics of the agency have long accused ICE of abusive practices.
But in the aftermath of this shooting, the focus has shifted to the safety of both migrants and law enforcement. The fact that detainees—not officers—were the primary victims complicates the narrative, with officials warning that political extremists on either side can put innocent lives at risk.
As the investigation continues, leaders from across the political spectrum are bracing for further fallout. With tensions already high over immigration policy, the Dallas sniper attack is being described by experts as one of the most serious acts of domestic political violence targeting immigration enforcement in recent memory.
“This is a wake-up call,” one DHS official told reporters. “ICE officers are being hunted, migrants are being used as pawns, and our facilities are under siege. If we don’t get serious about addressing this, it will happen again.”
Authorities say more information about Jahn’s background, possible affiliations, and online activities will be released in the coming days. For now, federal officials are urging vigilance, and Dallas remains on edge as the community grapples with the deadly consequences of the sniper’s attack.
This is a developing story and will be updated as details emerge.