Dallas ICE Facility Shooting: 2 Dead, 1 Injured, FBI Calls it Targeted Violence/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A gunman opened fire at a Dallas ICE facility Wednesday morning, killing two persons and injuring at one other. The shooter, who fired from an elevated position, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of targeted violence with anti-ICE messages reportedly found at the scene.
Dallas ICE Shooting Quick Looks
- Casualties: Two dead, at least one injured — including detainees.
- Shooter: Opened fire from rooftop/adjacent building, later died by suicide.
- FBI Probe: Incident labeled as “targeted violence” with anti-ICE messages on ammo.
- Victims: None of the injured were ICE officers, FBI confirms.
- Community Response: Dallas mayor urges patience, calm, and unity.
- Facility Details: Among busiest ICE processing centers, handling thousands of detainees.
- Law Enforcement: Massive response, streets closed near I-35 and Love Field Airport.
- Federal Reaction: VP JD Vance, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem condemn rising violence against ICE.
- Motive Unknown: Investigation ongoing; possible anti-ICE sentiment tied to shooting.
- Context: Facility processes detainees before transfer to larger detention centers.
Deep Look: Dallas ICE Facility Shooting Leaves One Dead, FBI Investigating as Targeted Attack
DALLAS — A shooting at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Dallas left two persons dead and at least one other injured on Wednesday morning, prompting a federal investigation into what authorities are calling an act of targeted violence.
The shooter, firing from an elevated position near the facility, opened fire on vehicles and detainees before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The attack has shaken one of the busiest immigration facilities in the country and raised new concerns about escalating threats against federal officers.
FBI Labels Shooting “Targeted Violence”
Joe Rothrock, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Dallas field office, confirmed that investigators are treating the incident as deliberate.
“I can confirm at this time that the FBI is investigating this incident as an act of targeted violence,” Rothrock said. Early evidence, he added, suggests that rounds found near the suspected shooter contained anti-ICE messages.
The FBI declined to disclose the exact wording but stressed that the probe remains ongoing. Federal agents are working alongside Dallas police and the Department of Homeland Security.
Victims Identified as Detainees
Authorities confirmed that at least two detainees are among the victims. Their identities and conditions have not yet been made public. Importantly, no ICE officers or other law enforcement personnel were injured in the attack, Rothrock said.
“This will be an ongoing investigation … to ensure that anyone responsible is held accountable,” he noted, leaving open the possibility of broader ties or assistance in the attack.
How the Attack Unfolded
According to law enforcement, the shooter fired from the rooftop of an adjacent building, targeting detainees being transported in a federal van. While initial reports suggested ICE was the target, officials later clarified that the vehicle belonged to another agency, though detainees were inside.
An early police audio recording captured the urgency of the response: “We’ve got a sniper on top of the roof,” one officer said, as reinforcements rushed to the scene.
Dozens of emergency vehicles swarmed the area, shutting down the access road and several side streets near Interstate 35. The ICE field office is located less than four miles from Dallas Love Field Airport, adding to commuter disruption.
Dallas Mayor Calls for Calm and Unity
At a press conference, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson urged patience as authorities sort through the investigation.
“This is an active investigation. There’s still a lot of unanswered questions,” Johnson said. “I want to encourage all of you to exercise restraint and allow law enforcement to do their jobs.”
He also called on the community — and the nation — to come together in a moment of tension. “We are a city and a country that needs prayer,” Johnson said. “We must support one another, as we always have, to get through this very difficult time.”
National Leaders Respond
Federal officials quickly condemned the attack. Vice President JD Vance tied the shooting to a disturbing trend of hostility against immigration and law enforcement personnel.
“The obsessive attack on law enforcement, particularly ICE, must stop,” Vance wrote on X. “I’m praying for everyone hurt in this attack and for their families.”
DHS Secretary Noem echoed that statement, noting that while the motive is still unclear, ICE officers are facing “unprecedented violence” nationwide.
Inside the Dallas ICE Facility
The Dallas ICE field office is one of the most heavily trafficked immigration processing centers in the U.S.. A CNN analysis of ICE data earlier this year showed that the office handled over 8,000 detainees in the first six months of the Trump administration, ranking 10th among ICE facilities nationwide.
Key details about the facility:
- Detainees typically stay less than 24 hours before being transferred.
- On average, individuals remain about 14 hours in holding rooms.
- Over the summer, the facility held dozens of detainees daily, though it has accommodated as many as 155 at once.
- In June, ICE quietly extended its holding policy, allowing detainees to be kept in such facilities for up to 72 hours.
Escalating Threats Against ICE
The Dallas attack is part of a larger backdrop of growing hostility toward immigration enforcement. In recent years, ICE facilities have faced protests, cyberattacks, and sporadic threats.
The FBI’s discovery of anti-ICE messages on the shooter’s ammunition suggests ideological motives, though investigators have not ruled out personal or other factors.
Looking Ahead
As the investigation unfolds, local officials stress that security at ICE and other federal buildings will remain heightened. Community leaders are calling for resilience, while federal partners assess whether the Dallas shooting represents part of a broader threat against immigration enforcement.
“This was a tragedy,” Mayor Johnson said. “But we will learn from it, we will stay strong, and we will continue working to make Dallas a safe city for everyone.”
You must Register or Login to post a comment.