A violent incident unfolded at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dallas early Wednesday morning, resulting in the deaths of two immigrants and leaving at least one individual critically injured, according to initial reports from the Department of Homeland Security. Remarkably, no law enforcement officers were harmed during the incident, which occurred around 6:40 a.m.
Preliminary statements from a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed the deaths of two detainees, while another remains in critical condition. During a later press conference, both the FBI and Dallas police clarified that no officers were among the victims, and the shooting is being investigated as a case of "targeted violence."
According to EFE reports, the suspect fired shots from a nearby building directed at the ICE headquarters in northeast Dallas and subsequently died from a self-inflicted wound. The identities of the deceased and the attacker have not been disclosed at this time.
In a parallel development, the FBI office released evidence suggesting a potential ideological motive behind the attack. Among the recovered items was a cartridge engraved with the phrase "ANTI ICE," as noted in a post by the bureau's director, categorizing the incident as part of a series of politically motivated assaults on law enforcement personnel.
The ICE facility in Dallas serves as a temporary holding center, which, in the first half of the current administration, processed over 8,000 individuals, with an average stay of 14 hours before being transferred to other facilities. In June, the agency updated its policy to allow detentions of up to 72 hours at offices like the one in Dallas.
This attack adds to a series of violent events in Texas this year. In July, a shooting outside a detention center in Alvarado injured a police officer, and later that month, federal agents fatally shot a man who fired at a Border Patrol building in McAllen. Both federal and state authorities have condemned the increasing violence.
Investigations, spearheaded by the FBI with support from Dallas police, are ongoing to finalize the victim count, determine the motive, and reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the attack.
Meanwhile, numerous immigrants in Texas detention centers have initiated hunger strikes to protest the conditions of their confinement and the lack of transparency in their immigration status. These strikes aim to highlight the human rights abuses they face, as agents continue to deport dozens of detainees to Mexico.
FAQ on Recent ICE Facility Attack in Texas
What was the outcome of the ICE facility shooting in Dallas?
The shooting resulted in the deaths of two immigrants and left one person critically injured. The attacker also died from a self-inflicted wound.
Were there any law enforcement casualties in the Dallas ICE facility shooting?
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
What evidence suggests a motive behind the ICE facility attack?
Evidence recovered included a cartridge with "ANTI ICE" engraved on it, indicating a potential ideological motive.
What actions are being taken by detained immigrants in response to their conditions?
Many detained immigrants have started hunger strikes to protest the conditions of their detention and the unclear status of their immigration cases.