Dallas, Texas – A shocking act of violence unfolded early Thursday morning when a gunman Joshua Jahn opened fire from a rooftop overlooking a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dallas. Authorities say the sniper-style attack targeted a secure entryway as a van carrying detainees arrived at the facility. By the time the gunfire stopped, three ICE detainees had been struck, one fatally, and the suspected gunman had taken his own life.
The FBI has identified the shooter as 29-year-old Joshua Jahn, who reportedly fired indiscriminately at the ICE building and detainee transport vehicle. No ICE officers were wounded in the attack. Officials recovered multiple shell casings at the scene, including one marked with a written message described as “anti-ICE in nature.” Investigators say they are now working to determine the motive and whether the incident was politically driven.
A Calculated Rooftop Attack
Authorities believe the gunman Joshua Jahn positioned himself on a rooftop adjacent to the facility’s secure entryway, known as a sally port, where detainees are transferred between vehicles and the building. Witnesses reported hearing rapid bursts of gunfire just after 6:40 a.m.
Inside the facility, immigration applicants and visitors were forced to shelter as police and federal agents swarmed the area. Maira, a Nicaraguan immigrant waiting for her appointment, recalled hearing gunshots ring out and fearing for her safety. Her daughter, waiting in a car outside, recorded the sound of bullets hitting the building.
Images from the scene later showed shattered windows and even an American flag display riddled with bullet holes.
The Suspect’s Background
Law enforcement sources confirmed that Joshua Jahn was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound shortly after the attack. Nearby, investigators discovered his vehicle with unusual items, including a poster depicting a map of nuclear fallout zones, raising further questions about his state of mind.
While friends of the suspect told reporters he was more interested in gaming than politics, FBI agents are combing through his digital history, writings, and communications to understand his motives. Authorities emphasized that the written messages left with his ammunition indicate hostility toward ICE, but stopped short of labeling the incident domestic terrorism.
Heightened Concerns Over Political Violence
This latest tragedy comes just weeks after the high-profile assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, whose killer also left behind written messages. Officials warn that threats and attacks against federal law enforcement have surged in recent years, with ICE reporting that incidents targeting its officers have risen more than 1,000% since January.
“ICE officers are just doing their jobs, but they’ve become political targets,” said Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons. “We are seeing a disturbing rise in threats and violence that can’t be ignored.”
In recent months, this same Dallas facility has been the focus of multiple security incidents, including a man arrested for threatening to detonate a bomb and an armed assault on July 4th.
A new poll conducted this week underscores growing public concern: 71% of Americans now view political violence as a “very serious” problem, and more than 80% believe toxic political rhetoric is fueling the rise in violent acts.
National Response and Increased Security
In the aftermath of the shooting, ICE facilities nationwide have been placed on high alert, with added security and monitoring at entry points. Federal officials are urging staff and detainees to remain vigilant.
Vice President Mike Pence commented on the attack, saying, “We know this person was politically motivated, and we must take seriously the threat posed by escalating rhetoric against our law enforcement agencies.”
At the same time, critics of ICE argue that the agency’s enforcement tactics create fear in immigrant communities, though immigrant-rights advocates also condemned the sniper’s actions, stressing that violence is never a solution.
A Nation on Edge
The Dallas Joshua Jahn sniper attack highlights the fragile climate across the country, where debates over immigration, law enforcement, and politics have increasingly turned hostile. For families of detainees, the shooting was a terrifying reminder of the risks faced by those caught in the middle. For the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, it is yet another urgent warning sign that political violence is accelerating and could continue to escalate in the months ahead.
As investigators continue piecing together Joshua Jahn background and motivations, one thing is clear: Thursday’s events in Dallas represent a dangerous new chapter in the debate over immigration enforcement and the broader issue of violence tied to political divisions in America.
