Fallout grows after deadly shooting at Dallas ICE office

Questions are mounting in the wake of a deadly sniper attack at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Dallas.

(NBC)- Questions are mounting in the wake of a deadly sniper attack at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Dallas. Top officials are promising tighter security nationwide.

“We’ve seen a 1,000% increase in violent attacks against ICE officers,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, pledging to ensure agents can operate safely.

On Wednesday, a gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop, striking a transport van and killing a detainee inside. Two others were critically wounded before the suspect took his own life. Investigators believe ICE officers were the intended targets, though none were injured.

FBI officials revealed bullet casings at the scene were etched with “ANTI-ICE” messages. Photos released by investigators also showed bullet holes in a window and through an American flag hanging inside the facility.

The shooter has been identified as 29-year-old Joshua Jahn. His brother told NBC News Jahn “didn’t have strong feelings about ICE” and wasn’t politically active, as far as he knew.

President Trump blamed Democrats for fueling hostility, writing on social media: “I am calling on all Democrats to stop this rhetoric against ICE and America’s law enforcement, right now!” Top Republicans, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz, echoed the criticism. “To every politician who is using rhetoric demonizing ICE and demonizing CBP — stop,” Cruz said.

But faith leaders in Dallas offered a different message. Standing outside ICE headquarters, clergy called for justice for migrants and peace. “It couldn’t be more opposite of the kind of message that we’ve been trying to witness to,” said Rev. Eric Folkerth of Kessler Park United Methodist Church.

As investigators search for a motive, the debate continues over how to protect ICE officers while addressing the tensions surrounding immigration enforcement.