Dallas ICE Facility Sniper Attack: Complete Coverage of September 24, 2025 Shooting

Dallas ICE Facility Sniper Attack: What Happened

On September 24, 2025, a devastating sniper attack targeted the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Dallas field office, resulting in one death and two critical injuries. The shooter, identified as 29-year-old Joshua Jahn, opened fire from a nearby rooftop in what officials are calling a targeted attack on federal law enforcement.

The incident occurred during morning hours when detainees were being transported in an unmarked van within the facility's sallyport area. The gunman fired indiscriminately at the ICE building and vehicles, specifically targeting the van containing three detainees in ICE custody. The attack ended when Jahn took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Joshua Jahn: Background and Profile of the Dallas ICE Shooter

Law enforcement sources identified the shooter as Joshua Jahn, a 29-year-old individual with no apparent criminal background related to immigration activism. According to childhood friends who spoke with ABC News, Jahn was described as someone primarily interested in video games and internet culture, making the attack particularly shocking to those who knew him.

Personal Background and Gaming History

Friends who had not seen Jahn in approximately ten years remembered him as "the least political" among their high school peers. His online presence revealed an extensive gaming history, with over 10,000 hours logged on Steam playing games including Team Fortress 2, Left 4 Dead 2, and Rust. A University of Texas Dallas spokesperson confirmed that someone matching Jahn's name and date of birth had "briefly attended" the university over a decade ago.

The suspect's Reddit account, inactive for approximately six years, showed interests in gaming and marijuana use, but contained no political content or anti-immigration rhetoric that might have foreshadowed the attack.

Anti-ICE Messages: Evidence of Premeditated Attack

FBI Director Kash Patel revealed crucial evidence that demonstrates the premeditated nature of the attack. Shell casings found at the scene contained anti-ICE messages, including one bullet casing engraved with "ANTI ICE." This evidence clearly indicates that the shooting was specifically targeted at Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations rather than a random act of violence.

The presence of these messages on ammunition suggests significant planning and deliberation, contradicting any potential claims of a spontaneous attack. Federal investigators are treating this evidence as proof of the shooter's intent to target ICE law enforcement specifically.

ICE Director Response and Security Assessment

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons characterized the attack as an "indiscriminate" shooting that "could have been worse," emphasizing the dangerous location of the facility near busy Interstate 35 and surrounding businesses. In an interview with CBS News, Lyons highlighted the potential for additional casualties given the high-powered rifle used and the timing during morning commute hours.

Immediate Security Concerns

"What's even scarier is the location where the field office is. There's businesses around there, busy I-35," Lyons stated, noting that the shooter "could have, in his indiscriminate fire, hit people traveling to work, civilians on the ground." The ICE director confirmed that the agency was already operating under a "higher threat posture" but would "reevaluate how we're doing operations" following the attack.

Previous Security Incidents at Dallas ICE Facility

This was not the first security threat targeting the Dallas ICE facility. In August 2025, just one month prior to the shooting, the facility faced a bomb threat from Bratton Dean Wilkinson, a 36-year-old U.S. citizen who arrived at the facility claiming to have a bomb in his backpack and displaying what he claimed was a "detonator" on his wrist.

The August incident resulted in a shelter-in-place order for the facility while local police and bomb squad units responded. Wilkinson was subsequently arrested and charged with making terroristic threats, highlighting an escalating pattern of threats against immigration enforcement facilities.

Impact on ICE Operations and Federal Law Enforcement

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Noem characterized the attack as motivated by "hatred for ICE" and called for political leaders and media to "tone down their rhetoric about ICE law enforcement." The Secretary specifically referenced ongoing political comparisons of ICE to "Nazi Gestapo, the Secret Police, and slave patrols" as contributing to a dangerous environment for federal agents.

Operational Continuity

Despite the attack, ICE leadership emphasized that operations would continue uninterrupted. "We won't be stopped by it," Lyons stated, while acknowledging the need to "ensure that the men and women of ICE have all the equipment they need, all the protection they need and all the support they need."

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the Dallas ICE facility shooter?

The shooter was identified as Joshua Jahn, a 29-year-old individual with no apparent history of political activism. Friends described him as primarily interested in gaming and had no prior criminal record related to immigration issues.

How many casualties resulted from the attack?

The attack resulted in one death and two critical injuries, all involving detainees who were in ICE custody at the time. No ICE agents or other federal employees were harmed during the incident.

What evidence suggests this was a targeted attack?

FBI investigators found shell casings with anti-ICE messages engraved on them, including one with "ANTI ICE" written on it. This evidence demonstrates premeditation and specific targeting of immigration enforcement.

Were there previous threats to this facility?

Yes, in August 2025, the same facility experienced a bomb threat from another individual who was subsequently arrested and charged with making terroristic threats.

How will this affect ICE operations?

ICE leadership has stated that operations will continue without interruption, though they are reevaluating security protocols and operational procedures to better protect agents and facilities.