A reported sniper-style attack at an immigration facility near downtown Dallas early Wednesday is believed to be a targeted act of violence against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, FBI officials said.
A gunman killed one immigration detainee and injured two others, reportedly firing at an unmarked transport van with the detainees inside. No law enforcement officers were wounded, authorities said.
The gunman died from a self-inflicted gunshot after firing shots from a nearby building. The identity of the victims and the shooter have not yet been released as the investigation continues.
FOX 4 KDFW reported the shooting occurred just after 6:40 a.m. at the Dallas ICE Facility on North Stemmons Freeway. The shooting happened as ICE officers were transferring detainees into the facility.
The deadly attack is still under investigation, but is believed to be targeted at ICE, according to the head of the FBI field office in Dallas. Shell casings found at the scene had anti-ICE messages.
“I can confirm at this time that the FBI is investigating this incident as an act of targeted violence,” said Special Agent in Charge Joe Rothrock during a Wednesday press conference. “Early evidence that we’ve seen from rounds that were found near the suspected shooter contain messages that are anti-ICE in nature.”
At the news conference, officials confirmed one victim had died, and two others were taken to the hospital.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson opened the news conference requesting prayer for the families and the victims as well as the city and the country. He said he has three young children and it’s challenging to explain to them what is going on in the country.
Johnson said he believes in the power of prayer to change things and change the hearts of people.
“I ask that you pray for this city, that we can come together at a time like this and that we can be there for one another the way we always have in times like this, to support one another and help us all get through this very difficult time, not just in our city but in our country,” Johnson said “That’s why I would ask you to pray for our nation. There’s a lot going on right now in our country, a lot that’s confusing, it’s a scary time.”
Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, also spoke near the end of the news conference, stepping up to say: “This needs to stop. Violence is wrong. Politically motivated violence is wrong.”
Cruz mentioned the political assassination of Charlie Kirk two weeks ago that “tore the heart out of much of this country.” This is the third shooting in Texas directed at ICE or CBP this year, he said, adding that political opponents are not Nazis and “we need to work together without demonizing each other.”
“This must stop,” Cruz continued. “To every politician who is using rhetoric demonizing ICE and demonizing CBP, STOP. To every politician demanding that ICE agents be doxed and calling for people to go after their families, STOP. This has very real consequences.”
Cruz also thanked the brave men and women of law enforcement, ICE and CBP, and “everyone who puts their lives on the line to keep us safe.”
Early police reports said the sniper, identified as a white male, was armed with a rifle on a roof. He shot himself as agents approached him, FOX 4 reported.
As the news broke Wednesday morning, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared an update on social media and confirmed there were “multiple injuries and fatalities” in the shooting.
There was a shooting this morning at the Dallas @ICEgov Detention Facility. Details are still emerging but we can confirm there were multiple injuries and fatalities.
The shooter is deceased by a self-inflicted gun shot wound.
While we don’t know motive yet, we know that our…
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) September 24, 2025
“While we don’t know motive yet, we know that our ICE law enforcement is facing unprecedented violence against them. It must stop. Please pray for the victims and their families,” Noem wrote.
Tricia McLaughin, DHS assistant secretary for public affairs, gave an update on Fox News Wednesday morning, noting that just a month ago to the day there was a viable bomb threat at the same facility in Dallas.
She said the shooter is believe to have been shooting from a nearby apartment building. They are investigating whether ICE officers or the detainees were the intended target.
McLaughlin said this facility is used for short-term processing after illegal immigrants are arrested by ICE rather than a detention facility before being repatriated.
“So, this location, it looks like it’s been targeted, and we don’t know how long this individual has been planning this act,” McLaughlin said. “It looks like he could have been watching to look at the processing and see what happens on a day-to-day basis at this Dallas field office. But [these are] all answers that Homeland Security Investigations is going to get down to the bottom of.”
McLaughlin emphasized it’s time for politicians, the media and critics of ICE to tone down their rhetoric, noting DHS a federal law enforcement agency charged with enforcing immigration laws on the books.
She said ICE agents have families and children and the continued demonization of the agency is fueling violence at these facilities across the country.
“We’ve been saying for months that the rhetoric around our law enforcement, particularly ICE, the dehumanization, the demonization has spun so far out of control and that someone is going to get hurt or someone is going to get killed,” McLaughlin said. “This must stop.”
Vice President JD Vance responded on social media: “The obsessive attack on law enforcement, particularly ICE, must stop. I’m praying for everyone hurt in this attack and for their families.”
The obsessive attack on law enforcement, particularly ICE, must stop. I'm praying for everyone hurt in this attack and for their families. https://t.co/wEN3sqyGyQ
— JD Vance (@JDVance) September 24, 2025
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton posted to X regarding the incident: “Join me in praying for the victims of this heinous shooting. We will continue to do everything in our power to combat the alarming increase of targeted attacks against ICE and all law enforcement by evil, twisted individuals.”
Join me in praying for the victims of this heinous shooting.
We will continue to do everything in our power to combat the alarming increase of targeted attacks against ICE and all law enforcement by evil, twisted individuals. https://t.co/alss32OypR
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) September 24, 2025
