10 things to know about Joshua Jahn: The 29-year-old behind the deadly Dallas ICE shooting

10 things to know about Joshua Jahn: The 29-year-old behind the deadly Dallas ICE shooting
The deadly shooting at a Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility has drawn nationwide attention, not only for its victims but also for the man identified as the gunman. Authorities say 29-year-old Joshua Jahn carried out the rooftop attack that left detainees dead and injured before taking his own life. While investigators are still piecing together his background and motives, here are 10 key things to know about the man behind the attack.
1. Joshua Jahn Was 29 Years Old
At the time of the shooting, Jahn was just 29 years old. Despite his relatively young age, his actions have ignited a major federal investigation into targeted violence against ICE.
2. He Had Ties to North Texas and Oklahoma
Authorities confirmed Jahn had strong connections in Fairview, Texas, where his parents live, and in Durant, Oklahoma, where he may have been living before the attack. Both homes were searched by law enforcement shortly after the shooting.
3. FBI Agents Raided His Family’s Home
SKY 4 cameras captured images of FBI agents outside Jahn’s parents’ home in Collin County shortly after the shooting. Witnesses reported seeing distressed family members as law enforcement combed through the property for evidence.
4. He Had a Minor Criminal Record
Jahn’s criminal history does not suggest a pattern of violence. Records show that in 2015, he was arrested in Collin County for marijuana possession, but no violent charges were found in his background.
5. He Was the Suspected Rooftop Sniper
Police sources revealed Jahn positioned himself on the rooftop of a nearby building and fired a rifle into the ICE facility’s sallyport area. Three detainees were struck—one fatally—before Jahn turned the gun on himself as officers closed in.
6. “Anti-ICE” Messages Were Found on His Ammunition
One of the most telling discoveries at the scene was an unused bullet casing engraved with the phrase “ANTI-ICE.” FBI officials say other rounds recovered also contained anti-ICE rhetoric, pointing to an ideological motive.
7. He Left Behind Disturbing Messages
Investigators say a car linked to Jahn bore a handwritten sign with cryptic references to “radioactive fallout” and nuclear events since 1951. This strange message adds to questions about his state of mind before the attack.
8. The Shooting Took Place at Dawn
The attack unfolded around 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the ICE field office on North Stemmons Freeway. Detainees were being processed when Jahn opened fire, sparking chaos inside the facility.
9. He Died from a Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound
According to Dallas police, Jahn shot himself as law enforcement agents advanced toward his rooftop position. He was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving investigators to reconstruct his motives through evidence and family interviews.
10. His Motive Is Still Under Investigation
While evidence points to anti-ICE sentiment as a driving factor, officials have not released a definitive motive. The FBI has labeled the case an act of “targeted violence” and is probing possible ideological or extremist influences in Jahn’s life.
The Dallas ICE shooting has amplified the already heated national debate over immigration enforcement. With the discovery of Jahn’s “ANTI-ICE” bullet messages, his attack is being viewed as part of a troubling trend of violent hostility toward immigration authorities. Investigators are working to determine whether Jahn acted alone, was radicalized, or was motivated by broader anti-ICE rhetoric spreading across the country.
FAQ Section
Q1: Who was Joshua Jahn?
Joshua Jahn was a 29-year-old man with ties to North Texas and Oklahoma. He was identified as the sniper who opened fire at a Dallas ICE facility, killing one detainee and critically injuring two others.
Q2: What happened during the Dallas ICE shooting?
Around 6:30 a.m., Jahn fired from a rooftop at the ICE field office on North Stemmons Freeway. He struck three detainees before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Q3: Did Joshua Jahn have a criminal background?
Records show Jahn was arrested in 2015 for marijuana possession in Collin County but had no record of violent crime.
Q4: Why is the “ANTI-ICE” message important?
Investigators discovered unused bullets engraved with the phrase “ANTI-ICE.” The FBI says this strongly indicates an ideological motive against immigration enforcement.
Q5: Where did Joshua Jahn live?
Jahn had ties to Fairview, Texas, where his parents live, and may have been living in Durant, Oklahoma before the attack. Both residences are under investigation.
Q6: What strange messages did he leave behind?
A vehicle linked to Jahn displayed a sign referencing “radioactive fallout” since 1951, raising questions about his mental state.