A targeted shooting at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dallas on September 24, 2025, left one immigrant detainee dead, two others critically wounded, and the gunman dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Federal authorities say the attack was premeditated, ideologically motivated, and part of a disturbing trend of violence against federal immigration infrastructure .
Timeline of the Attack
⏰ Key Moments on September 24
- 6:30 a.m.: Suspect Joshua Jahn, 29, positions himself on a rooftop near the ICE Dallas Field Office.
- 6:40 a.m.: Jahn opens fire with an 8mm bolt-action rifle, striking the building, law enforcement vehicles, and a detainee transport van.
- 6:50 a.m.: Dallas Police respond to the scene.
- 7:15 a.m.: Jahn is found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound nearby.
- Later that day: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem orders enhanced security at all ICE facilities nationwide.
Who Was the Suspect?
Joshua Jahn, a 29-year-old Dallas-area resident, had no clear political affiliation but left behind handwritten notes expressing “hatred for the federal government” and calling ICE employees “people showing up to collect a dirty paycheck” .
Suspect Profile: Jahn had a history of short-term jobs (solar panel installer, marijuana farm worker), a 2015 marijuana charge (later dismissed), and used apps that tracked ICE agent movements. He legally purchased the rifle in August 2025.
What Investigators Found
| Evidence Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Handwritten Notes | Outlined specific ICE building targets; expressed anti-government sentiment. |
| Rifle Bullet | Marked with blue ink: “ANTI-ICE”. |
| Digital Activity | Searched for ICE Dallas location; used ICE-tracking apps. |
| Online Presence | Posted about video games, cars, and marijuana on Reddit; no overt extremist content. |
The Victims
The three victims were immigrant detainees being transported in a van outside the facility:
- One fatality: Identity not yet released.
- Two critically wounded: One confirmed to be a Mexican national, per Mexico’s foreign ministry.
The Dallas ICE field office serves as both an administrative hub and a short-term processing center. Detainees typically spend less than 24 hours there before transfer to long-term facilities .
A Pattern of Violence Against ICE
This was the third shooting at a federal immigration facility in Texas in 2025 alone:
- July 4, Alvarado, TX: Officer shot outside ICE detention center; 13 arrested in alleged coordinated ambush.
- July 7, McAllen, TX: Gunman opens fire at CBP station; three injured, including two officers.
- September 24, Dallas, TX: Sniper-style attack on ICE field office.
“This is not random violence—it’s targeted, planned, and escalating,” said Joseph Rothrock, FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge.
Political Fallout
President Trump blamed “Deranged Radical Leftists” and urged Democrats to “STOP THIS RHETORIC AGAINST ICE.” Meanwhile, immigrant rights advocates pointed to rising anti-immigrant enforcement as a catalyst for community tensions.
DHS has now mandated armed escorts for detainee transports and increased perimeter surveillance at all 25 ICE field offices nationwide.
For more on federal immigration enforcement trends, see our analysis on how ICE operations have changed under the Trump administration.
