FBI Probes Targeted Attack on ICE Field Office in Dallas

A shooting incident at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Dallas resulted in the deaths of one detainee and the suspected shooter on Wednesday morning, which the FBI has characterized as a targeted attack.

Shots were fired at approximately 9 a.m. at the ICE facility located at 8101 North Stemmons Freeway.

Officials reported that a sniper shot from a rooftop nearby, hitting three detainees who were seated in a van at a secured entry point referred to as the sallyport. According to the Department of Homeland Security, one detainee has passed away, while two others were urgently transported to nearby hospitals in critical condition.

A spokesperson for the agency reported that the shooter was subsequently discovered deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. There were no injuries reported among federal officers or staff.

In a recent interview with CNN, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons stated that the gunfire “seemed to come from outside the facility.” The situation led to a temporary lockdown of the building as authorities conducted a thorough search of the vicinity.

Officials indicated that initial findings suggest a possible political motive. “Ammunition found close to the alleged shooter contained messages opposing ICE,” stated Joe Rothrock, the FBI’s special agent in charge of the Dallas office. Authorities are considering the incident as a deliberate attack aimed at the immigration agency.

FBI Director Kash Patel subsequently shared a photo on X featuring a shell casing inscribed with the phrase “ANTI ICE.” As of Wednesday afternoon, there were no updates regarding the identity or motive of the shooter.

The incident raises further alarm regarding the safety of federal immigration facilities, which have been under increasing scrutiny in recent times. Federal authorities announced that they are examining safety protocols at ICE offices nationwide.

By late afternoon, DHS officials provided clarification on earlier reports regarding the deaths of two detainees, confirming that one was killed while two others remained hospitalized.

The inquiry is still ongoing, and the FBI has requested that anyone with relevant information contact its Dallas field office.