A deadly shooting at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dallas on Wednesday has led to the tragic death of one detainee and the wounding of two others.
Authorities have since identified the suspect as 29-year-old Joshua Jahn, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after attacking the facility, per the Independent.
FBI investigators have since revealed a link between Jahn and the murder of Charlie Kirk.
The Link Between Joshua Jahn and Charlie Kirk
FBI Director Kash Patel revealed that Jahn meticulously planned the attack, having gathered information about ICE facilities in the weeks leading up to the violence.
Patel disclosed that between Tuesday and the day of the attack, Jahn conducted multiple searches related to ballistics and gruesome videos of political activist Charlie Kirk's assassination, as reported by The Sun.
He said this further hinted at the suspect’s intentions to inflict "real terror" on immigration officials.
Political Extremism and Anti-ICE Sentiments
The FBI's investigation has uncovered troubling evidence that suggests Jahn’s motivations were driven by anti-ICE and anti-government sentiments.
Investigators found a series of handwritten notes that indicated premeditation and deep hostility toward ICE personnel.
In one note, Jahn reportedly wrote: "Hopefully this will give ICE agents real terror, to think."
Another note allegedly asked: "Is there a sniper with AP rounds on that roof?"
These messages, combined with his careful planning, paint a clear picture of a targeted attack.
Jahn’s notes also expressed disdain for ICE employees, calling them “people showing up to collect a dirty paycheck” and outlining a plan to maximize harm to ICE personnel while minimizing injury to detainees.
"He hoped his actions will terrorize ICE employees and interfere with their work, which he called human trafficking," said Nancy Larsen, acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.
Authorities also found a bullet near Jahn's body, marked with the words "anti-ICE."
This, along with other evidence, suggests that the shooting was politically motivated.
Investigating Jahn’s Background and Family’s Shock
As authorities continue their investigation, they’ve uncovered details about Jahn’s life, which adds to the complexity of the case.
Despite the violent nature of the attack, Jahn’s family has expressed disbelief.
His mother, Sharon Jahn, was devastated by the news and struggled to process the events surrounding her son’s actions.
Jahn’s family is grappling with the shock of his actions.
His older brother, Noah Jahn, spoke to NBC News, expressing his disbelief and stating that his brother was not particularly interested in politics or ICE.
"He didn't have strong feelings about ICE as far as I knew," Noah said.
Despite Noah’s statements, the investigation revealed that Jahn had significant grievances against ICE.
He left behind a note that read: "Yes, it was just me and my brain," and detailed a clear game plan for the attack, including specific target areas of the ICE facility.
The Attack and Law Enforcement Response
On the morning of the attack, Jahn, perched on a nearby rooftop and armed with an 8mm bolt-action rifle, opened fire on the ICE facility and a van containing detainees.
Authorities also found troubling evidence of Jahn’s anti-government sentiments, including a bullet casing near his body with the words “ANTI-ICE” written on it.
Investigators believe Jahn’s actions were driven by his hatred for the federal government and the work that ICE conducts, although no formal connection to any specific group was found.