A sniper who killed at least one migrant and wounded several others in a shooting at a Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility has been identified as Joshua Jahn, 29, the Daily Mail can reveal.
The bloodbath unfolded at the facility in the Texas city shortly after 7am CT Wednesday morning, when the gunman targeted migrants on an unmarked transport van before killing himself.
Multiple law enforcement sources confirmed the identity of the gunman as Jahn, and ICE said in a statement that the sniper ‘fired indiscriminately’.
Early reports indicated a second victim died in hospital, but officials have not confirmed that. The victims were ICE detainees, and no law enforcement were injured in the shooting.
Officials said at a press conference on Wednesday morning that bullets found by the shooter’s body were engraved with ‘anti-ICE messages’, and FBI Director Kash Patel shared an image of the bullets reading: ‘Anti-ICE.’
The gunman opened fire ‘from an elevated position’ as migrants were inside the transport van. He is believed to have been found on the roof of a nearby immigration attorney’s office, WFAA reported.
Patel said in an X post: ‘While the investigation is ongoing, an initial review of the evidence shows an idealogical motive behind this attack.
‘These despicable, politically motivated attacks against law enforcement are not a one-off.’
A sniper who killed at least one migrant and wounded several others in a shooting at a Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility has been identified
The bloodbath unfolded at the facility in the Texas city shortly after 7am CT, and a huge police presence descended on the scene
FBI Director Kash Patel shared an image of the bullets used in the shooting, reading: ‘Anti-ICE’
Although the sniper appeared to target migrants in ICE custody, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote on X that the shooting represented an attack on ICE and 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.
Vice President JD Vance added: ‘The obsessive attack on law enforcement, particularly ICE, must stop. I’m praying for everyone hurt in this attack and for their families.’
At the press conference on Wednesday, Texas Senator Ted Cruz made an impassioned plea for the end of politically motivated violence that has swept the nation in recent times.
‘We should not be putting language out there that inspires mad men to commit evil crimes,’ Cruz said. ‘Stop it, please.’
Cruz also cited the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk, telling reporters: ‘It was two weeks ago today that we saw a political assassination in Utah that tore the heart out of much of this country.’
At the press conference on Wednesday, Texas Senator Ted Cruz made an impassioned plea for the end of politically motivated violence that has swept the nation in recent times
Cruz continued: ‘This is the third shooting in Texas directed at ICE or CBP. This must stop.
‘To every politician who is using rhetoric, demonizing ICE, and demonizing CBP. Stop. To every politician demanding that ICE agents be doxed and calling for people to go after their families. Stop. This has very real consequences.
‘Look, in America, we disagree. That’s fine. That’s the democratic process. But your political opponents are not Nazis. We need to learn to work together without demonizing each other, without attacking each other.’
ICE Director Todd Lyons said he was putting ICE facilities on a higher alert status in response to the shooting.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said in a statement that his state ‘fully supports ICE’, and vowed to step up deportations as a result of the shooting.
‘This assassination will NOT slow our arrest, detention, & deportation of illegal immigrants. We will work with ICE & the Dallas Police Dept. to get to the bottom of the assassin’s motive,’ Abbott wrote.
The sniper, who police sources described as a white man, shot himself dead as law enforcement agents closed in on him
Last month, a man identified as Bratton Dean Wilkinson, 36, was arrested after making a bomb threat against the immigration processing center
The ICE facility has been frequently targeted by pro-immigration demonstrators in recent months.
Last month, a man identified as Bratton Dean Wilkinson, 36, was arrested after making a bomb threat against the immigration processing center.
Wilkinson allegedly arrived at the entrance on August 25 and claimed to have a bomb in his backpack, and showed a ‘detonator’ on his wrist. He is now facing charges of making terroristic threats.
In a nearby ICE facility in Alvarado, Texas, another attack took place on July 4 where 10 people were arrested for shooting at law enforcement officers.
Armed assailants with tactical gear were charged with terrorism and aggravated assault for the attack, which officials said at the time was intended to disrupt the ICE facility’s operations.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information is confirmed.
