Two detainees have died and another is critically injured after a rooftop sniper opened fire at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) center in Dallas, Texas, officials say.
The gunman fired indiscriminately at the ICE facility and at a nearby unmarked van, law enforcement officials say, before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
No law enforcement were injured. FBI Director Kash Patel posted a photo on X of unused ammunition recovered from the scene. One casing has the phrase ANTI-ICE on it.
It is the latest in a string of attacks on ICE facilities in recent months as the agency ramps up efforts to deliver on US President Donald Trump's pledge for mass deportations.
While the investigation is ongoing, Patel indicated an ideological motive behind this attack.
These despicable, politically motivated attacks against law enforcement are not a one-off, he stated.
Dallas police reported that the preliminary investigation showed the suspect opened fire from an adjacent building and targeted a van where victims were located.
Acting director of the Dallas ICE office, Joshua Johnson, emphasized the rising danger, stating this was the second time he had to address the media regarding violence at his facilities, urging that the rhetoric must stop.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz condemned the shooting, commenting on the divisive political climate and warning against demonizing political opponents.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said such violent acts must raise awareness of the consequences of inflammatory rhetoric regarding immigration enforcement.
This incident highlights a rising trend of violent confrontations directed towards ICE, with a history of threats and attacks reported just this summer at their facilities.
