Ted Cruz condemns ‘politically motivated violence’ after detainees killed in Dallas ICE shooting

DALLAS, TEXAS: Senator Ted Cruz condemned the deadly shooting at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dallas, Texas, calling it an attack that highlights the dangers of heated political rhetoric.

The FBI confirmed that the incident is being investigated as a targeted assault after the gunman allegedly killed two detainees before turning the weapon on himself.

Ted Cruz links ICE facility shooting to rising political violence

Cruz referenced the September 10 killing of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.

“It was two weeks ago today that we saw a political assassination in Utah that tore the heart out of much of this country,” Cruz said.

“This is the third shooting in Texas directed at ICE or CBP. This must stop. To every politician who is using rhetoric, demonizing ICE and demonizing CBP – stop. To every politician demanding that ICE agents be doxed and calling for people to go after their families – stop,” Cruz said. “This has very real consequences. Look, in America, we disagree. That's fine. That's the democratic process. But your political opponents are not Nazis. We need to learn to work together without demonizing each other, without attacking each other,” he added. 

Cruz also thanked law enforcement and federal officers for their service.

“And I want to say thank you. I want to say thank you to the brave men and women of law enforcement. I want to say thank you to the brave men and women of ICE and CBP, and everyone who puts their lives on the line to keep us safe. The divisive rhetoric, tragically, has real consequences,” Cruz said.

Karoline Leavitt says Democrats must stop targeting ICE agents

 White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also reacted to the Dallas shooting.

Leavitt wrote on X that Democrats must stop “demonizing the heroic men and women of ICE who are just doing their jobs to keep Americans safe,” sharing a photo with the message, “I Stand With ICE.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Joseph Rothrock confirmed the investigation is being treated as a case of targeted violence.

“What I can also share with you is that early evidence that we have seen from the rounds that were found near the suspected shooter contain messages that are anti-ICE in nature. Again, this is just the most recent example of this type of attack,” Rothrock said.

The suspect was identified as Joshua Jahn, 29. Authorities say Jahn allegedly killed two detainees at the Dallas facility before turning the gun on himself as ICE officers were transferring detainees into the building.

 ICE Deputy Director says shooter was at building nearby 

ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan told Fox News, “What we do know so far is that the shooter was firing indiscriminately throughout the whole building."

“The shooter was at a building nearby, shooting directly into the building, going across the entire length of the building.”

The deputy director added that it was a potentially “very dangerous situation” for law enforcement. No law enforcement personnel were injured, according to Joe Rothrock, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Dallas field office.

“We found bullets throughout the entire building that had punctured into the facility, targeting the entire ICE facility,” Sheahan said.  

Kash Patel calls ICE shooting part of growing trend of attacks

FBI Director Kash Patel posted an image of rounds on X following the press briefing. He also said “ANTI-ICE messages were written on bullet casings at the scene.”

“These despicable, politically motivated attacks against law enforcement are not a one-off," Patel wrote. He added, "We are only miles from Prarieland, Texas, where just two months ago an individual ambushed a separate ICE facility targeting their officers."

"It has to end and the FBI and our partners will lead these investigative efforts to see to it that those who target our law enforcement are pursued and brought to the fullest extent of justice,” Patel wrote.

In a post on X, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem condemned heightened rhetoric against ICE, saying: “These horrendous killings must serve as a wake-up call to the far-left that their rhetoric about ICE has consequences.”