DALLAS — Just before dawn on Wednesday, gunfire erupted outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in northwest Dallas, killing one person and wounding several others before the shooter turned the gun on himself, authorities said.
The FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives joined Dallas police and state officials at the scene as investigators worked through the morning. Federal officials said the attack appeared to be politically motivated.
FBI Director Kash Patel, in a statement, said: “This morning just before 7 a.m. local time, an individual fired multiple rounds at a Dallas, Texas ICE facility, killing one, wounding several others, before taking his own life. FBI, DHS, ATF are on the ground with Dallas PD and state authorities.”
Patel then posted a photo of a set of bullets that had some markings. He added “While the investigation is ongoing, an initial review of the evidence shows an idealogical motive behind this attack. One of the unspent shell casings recovered was engraved with the phrase ‘ANTI ICE.’ “
Police have not said who was killed, but Patel added, “Thankfully, no law enforcement personnel were injured,” which would indicate the fatality was a detainee or civilian employee at the facility.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims or the shooter. Investigators are reviewing security footage and ballistic evidence as they piece together the sequence of events.
The attack comes amid heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in Texas and follows another violent incident two months ago at an ICE detention center in nearby Prarieland.
Officials said security has been increased at federal facilities across the region while the investigation continues.
