Emma Ruby
Audio By Carbonatix
Update, 9/24/2025, 3:32 p.m.: This article has been updated to include new information from the Department of Homeland Security regarding the number of fatalities in the Wednesday shooting at the Dallas ICE Field Office.
A fatal shooting at an Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Dallas this morning quickly became national news. One detainee at the center died after several rounds were fired at an unmarked vehicle sitting outside the facility. An unidentified shooter also died from a self-inflicted wound on the roof of an immigration attorney’s office adjacent to the field office.
Politicians wasted no time in typing out their instant reactions to the shooting on X. Little information has been released about the attack. The Dallas Police Department confirmed the two deaths and additional gunshot wounds sustained by two persons transported to a nearby hospital. The identity of the deceased suspect has not been released, nor a motive, though FBI director Kash Patel released images of ammunition engraved with “Anti-ICE.”
Still, without much information, government officials began releasing official statements about the attack.
When news happens, Dallas Observer is there —
Your support strengthens our coverage.
We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If the Dallas Observer matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was one of the first leaders to release a statement before law enforcement on the ground in Dallas publicly released information.
“Details are still emerging but we can confirm there were multiple injuries and fatalities,” Noem said. “The shooter is deceased by a self-inflicted gun shot wound. 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.”
It’s unclear whether the attack was targeted at ICE agents, but Joe Rothrock, FBI Special Agent in Charge confirmed in a press conference that his agency would be investigating the incident as “an act of targeted violence”. Earlier in the morning, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons told CNN that no law enforcement had been injured in the attack.
DPD Chief Daniel Comeaux, Mayor Eric Johnson, acting Dallas field office director Joshua Johnson, and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz joined Rothrock at the 10 a.m. conference held near the crime scene.
“If we want to have a debate about immigration policy, we can do so in the halls of Congress without demonizing each other … we should not be putting language out there that inspires evil mad men to commit crimes,” Cruz said.
North Texas State Sen. Mark Veasey joined WFAA to discuss city, state and national responses to the shooting.
“I am absolutely sickened by the comments that I’ve heard,” he told reporters. “…There are opportunities from the far right and the far left where all of us can acknowledge that there is something going on here that’s dangerous and putting everybody at risk, and we can work together to stop that, or we can still continue to try to score points.”
Several Texas leaders have since added their two cents to the issue, with many sharing messages about law enforcement safety and reaffirming a dedication to the current immigration efforts headed by the Trump administration and supported by state leaders.
Other lawmakers began the call for prayers.
Attorney General Ken Paxton took to social media to condemn the “epidemic of Leftist political violence.”
On the other side of the aisle, Dallas Democrats have shared their condolences and disapproval of violence.
Candidate for Texas Attorney General and current Sen. Nathan Johnson echoed similar sentiments.
Dallasite and U.S. Senatorial candidate Collin Allred shared his condolences.
At the localized scale, Dallas Council member Adam Bazaldua emphasized the heaviness felt by the immigrant community.
