Shooter Dead After Opening Fire at Dallas ICE Facility, Killing at Least One
Dallas, Texas (AP) – A deadly attack unfolded early Wednesday morning when a shooter armed with a rifle opened fire on a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Dallas. Authorities confirmed that at least one person was killed, several others were injured, and the gunman ultimately took his own life.
The incident has raised serious security concerns about federal immigration facilities across Texas, especially following a recent string of violent assaults on detention centers in the state.
The Attack Unfolds
According to Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux, officers responded to calls of gunfire at approximately 6:40 a.m. The shooter had positioned himself on the roof of a building next to the ICE office, located along Interstate 35 East. From there, he fired multiple rounds into the facility.
Initial reports suggested three victims, including the shooter. However, investigators later confirmed that four people were struck. Two died on-site, and another victim succumbed to injuries soon after. The gunman, who turned the weapon on himself, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The ICE facility, just southwest of Dallas Love Field Airport, is a busy government complex situated in a high-traffic area. The shooting forced authorities to shut down nearby roads, leaving six lanes of the freeway eerily empty as cars and trucks halted on exit ramps.
Dozens of emergency vehicles, SWAT teams, and federal officers quickly surrounded the site, securing the area and assisting victims.
Possible Motive
Investigators with the FBI recovered ammunition marked with anti-ICE messages. One bullet, shown in a photo shared by ICE Director Kash Patel, had the phrase “ANTI-ICE” written on it in marker.
Although officials have not confirmed a specific motive, they indicated the evidence strongly suggests that the attack was politically or ideologically motivated. The FBI is now treating the shooting as “an act of targeted violence.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also confirmed “multiple injuries and fatalities,” noting that details are still emerging. She emphasized that while ICE agents were not among the victims, detainees at the facility were struck by gunfire.
Victims and Emergency Response
The Dallas Fire-Rescue Department and local paramedics rushed to treat victims and transport them to nearby hospitals. Authorities have not released the identities of those killed or injured, citing ongoing family notifications and the sensitivity of the investigation.
ICE spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said that detainees inside the building were among the victims. She added that law enforcement officers on the ground responded quickly to limit the scope of the attack.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as sirens filled the air and heavily armed officers moved into position. Traffic camera footage captured the dramatic moment when vehicles were frozen in place on the interstate, as police cleared the surrounding area.
Pattern of Violence Against Immigration Facilities
This latest shooting adds to a growing list of violent incidents targeting immigration enforcement centers in Texas.
- July 4 – Alvarado: Attackers dressed in military-style black clothing opened fire at the Prairieland Detention Center. A police officer was injured after being shot in the neck. Federal prosecutors later confirmed that at least 11 suspects were charged in connection with the incident.
- July 7 – McAllen: A man with an assault rifle fired dozens of rounds at Border Patrol agents leaving a federal facility. A responding officer was wounded before police fatally shot the gunman. Authorities found more weaponry, ammunition, and tactical gear in his vehicle.
These back-to-back attacks have put both ICE personnel and detainees at heightened risk, raising alarms about the growing frequency of armed assaults on federal sites.
National Implications
The Dallas shooting also comes amid broader concerns about political violence in the United States. Only two weeks ago, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed when a rifle-wielding shooter opened fire from a rooftop at another public event.
The FBI has warned that hostility toward government agencies, including ICE, has increased in recent years. Experts say online extremist groups often target immigration facilities as symbols of federal authority, turning them into flashpoints for violence.
The attack in Dallas highlights the vulnerability of such sites, even in heavily populated metropolitan areas.
Ongoing Investigation
At this stage, law enforcement believes the Dallas shooter acted alone. However, the FBI is investigating whether the gunman had connections to extremist groups or online networks promoting violence against immigration authorities.
Investigators are reviewing security footage from nearby buildings, collecting ballistic evidence, and interviewing witnesses. Federal agents are also tracing the weapon used in the attack to determine how it was acquired.
Homeland Security and Dallas Police officials have vowed to strengthen security at ICE facilities across the state while the investigation continues.
A Climate of Fear and Urgency
The attack has intensified debate around the safety of government employees, detainees, and civilians who live and work near immigration enforcement centers.
Community leaders are demanding stronger protections, including better security infrastructure and intelligence-sharing to preempt such assaults. Child rights and immigrant support groups have also expressed concern for detainees, who remain vulnerable during such violent incidents.
For now, the Dallas community is left grappling with the aftermath of yet another mass shooting—one that has placed federal immigration facilities firmly in the national spotlight.
