In a shocking incident on Wednesday morning, a gunman targeted an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Dallas, leading to the unfortunate death of a detainee and critical injuries to two others, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Initially, Homeland Security reported that two detainees had lost their lives in this horrifying shooting, but they later corrected this statement to clarify the condition of the victims.
As detailed by the Dallas Police Department, the suspect launched the attack from a nearby building, firing at the ICE structure without discrimination, particularly aiming at a van located in the entryway where three individuals were present.
Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, mentioned on Fox News that the shooter, positioned on the roof, opened fire into a visible area, causing extensive damage to windows and even penetrating the building’s lobby with bullets.
Sadly, the suspected shooter took his own life, as reported by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in a post on X. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has successfully identified the shooter, although they have opted against further commentary.
The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that one of the injured parties was a Mexican national, and law enforcement confirmed that no ICE officers were harmed during the ordeal.
Dallas Police responded to a distress call around 6:40 a.m. local time, arriving at the 8100 block on North Stemmons Freeway. The office, located at 8101 North Stemmons Freeway, serves the North Texas and Oklahoma region, as stated on the ICE website.
Joseph Rothrock, the FBI’s special agent in charge at the Dallas office, revealed that early evidence suggested that some of the rounds discovered near the shooter were inscribed with anti-ICE sentiments. He also shared an image on X which showed a shell casing marked with the phrase “ANTI ICE.”
ICE has been deeply involved in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies and has faced significant public scrutiny as a result.
This latest shooting follows previous threats against ICE facilities, including a disturbing incident in late August where a man claimed to possess a bomb at the Dallas office.
The climate of political violence is concerning, particularly in light of a recent incident involving the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Earlier this summer, a Democratic Minnesota lawmaker was also slain in her home, amplifying fears of retaliatory acts related to political ideologies.
In a Wednesday post on social media, Trump criticized what he called “Radical Left Democrats” for their treatment of ICE and law enforcement, reinforcing a narrative he had shared earlier about antifa designated as a domestic terrorist organization as he announced plans for an executive order to address these groups.
In response to the Dallas shooting, Secretary Noem has mandated increased protective measures at ICE facilities nationwide.
