A sniper who was responsible for the death of at least one migrant and the injury of several others during an attack at a Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility has been recognized as Joshua Jahn, aged 29, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The violent incident occurred just after 7 am CT Wednesday at the Texas city facility when Jahn opened fire on migrants in an unmarked transport van before turning the gun on himself.
Multiple law enforcement sources confirmed the identity of the gunman as Jahn, and ICE said in a statement that the sniper ‘fired indiscriminately’.
Initial reports suggested a second individual had succumbed to injuries in hospital, though this has not yet been confirmed by officials. The victims targeted were ICE detainees, and no law enforcement personnel were harmed during the shooting.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, officials revealed that the bullets collected at the scene were marked with ‘anti-ICE messages.’ FBI Director Kash Patel shared an image of the bullets engraved with ‘Anti-ICE.’
The shooter fired ‘from an elevated location’ while the migrants were inside the transport van. According to WFAA, he was likely found on the rooftop of a nearby immigration attorney’s office.
In a post on X, Patel mentioned: ‘As the investigation continues, preliminary evidence points to an ideological motive for this assault… These abhorrent, politically driven attacks on law enforcement are not isolated incidents.’
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.’
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
The ICE facility (seen in a stock image) 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
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.
