DALLAS (AP) - The gunman who initiated a shooting at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dallas held a deep-seated hatred for the U.S. government and aimed to instill terror by targeting federal agents, according to authorities. This revelation about the motive emerged during a press conference held on Thursday.
The shooter, identified as 29-year-old Joshua Jahn, had meticulously planned the attack as indicated by handwritten notes discovered at his suburban residence. Following the shooting, he reportedly took his own life. The incident, which occurred at dawn on a Wednesday, specifically targeted the ICE office, including a van that was transporting detainees. Tragically, one detainee was killed and two others seriously injured, while no ICE personnel were harmed.
According to Joseph Rothrock, the FBI's Dallas field office agent in charge, Jahn "specifically intended to kill ICE agents," directing his fire at vehicles used by ICE personnel, federal agents, and detainees. "He also fired multiple shots into the windows of the office building where numerous ICE employees conduct their daily work," Rothrock stated.
Authorities revealed that Jahn's notes indicated he did not anticipate surviving the event, expressing a desire to incite terror. Elaborating on this point, FBI Director Kash Patel noted that the assailant carried out a “high degree of pre-attack planning.” One of the notes alluded to the hope that ICE agents would live in fear of potential snipers in the vicinity.
The incident unfolded against a backdrop of heightened immigration enforcement, which has increasingly provoked backlash against ICE agents across the nation. Investigators confirmed that Jahn acted independently, without any known affiliations to groups or organizations. His written communications exhibited a general disdain for the federal government but only mentioned ICE specifically.
Before executing the attack, Jahn was reported to have conducted multiple online searches for ballistic information and, notably, for videos related to the recent assassination attempt of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a university in Utah. Additionally, last month, he searched for applications capable of tracking the presence of ICE agents, further illustrating his intent.
On the day of the shooting, Jahn was seen arriving early in the morning with a ladder atop his vehicle, which he presumably used to gain access to the roof of a nearby building. The gunfire began around 6:30 a.m., with shots fired across the ICE facility, including into the windows and the detainee transport van.
Authorities revealed that Jahn legally obtained the bolt-action rifle used in the attack in August. Rothrock added that Jahn seemed to be aware of the high probability that ICE detainees would be present during the time of the shooting.
In response to the emergency, several federal agents risked their lives by entering the line of fire to assist the trapped detainees. The security protocols in place had ensured that the detainees were restrained inside the van. However, the attack highlights an escalating trend of violence against ICE personnel, including a recent shooting at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, where an officer was injured.
Jahn's family painted a surprising picture of him, with his brother Noah describing him as "unique" and indicating that he did not hold strong views on immigration or ICE. A spokesperson for Collin College in nearby McKinney confirmed that Joshua had attended the institution at various times between 2013 and 2018 but did not elaborate on his character or motivations.
In conclusion, the shooting at the ICE facility represents a worrying trend of targeted violence against immigration enforcement personnel, prompting calls for increased security and vigilance at such facilities nationwide. The horrific events of that morning raise significant concerns about the safety of federal agents and detainees alike amid a contentious political climate surrounding immigration enforcement.
