Chaos erupted at a Dallas ICE field office on Wednesday morning, leaving three people in critical condition after a shooting, according to Homeland Security officials. The shooter is now dead.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons confirmed the shooter’s death was a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound during a CNN interview. Police sources said the suspect was a white man, armed with a rifle and positioned as a sniper on a roof. As agents moved in, the shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
“There were multiple injuries and fatalities,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. In a statement, she continued, “While we don’t know motive yet, we know that our ICE law enforcement is facing unprecedented violence against them. It must stop. Please pray for the victims and their families.”
It was said that all three victims were detainees in ICE custody.
Meanwhile, Texas Senator Ted Cruz said he and his team are “closely monitoring the situation at the ICE Detention Facility in Dallas.” He added in a recent tweet: “We are praying for the swift recovery of those injured, and we are deeply grateful to the brave first responders who rushed to the scene.”
More On ICE Detention Centers:
As many are aware, individuals in ICE detention in the Dallas area and throughout the country are held in facilities while they await immigration proceedings.
These facilities are not criminal jails, but they may be operated by private companies or local governments under contract with ICE. Detainees are typically housed in rooms with other individuals and are subject to daily counts and limited movement.
Reports from advocacy groups and government oversight bodies have frequently raised concerns about conditions, citing issues such as overcrowding, unsanitary living spaces, inadequate access to medical care and hygiene items, and limited contact with family and legal counsel.
Despite these reports, ICE maintains that it provides detainees with appropriate care and access to legal rights… Detainees can be released on bond or with monitoring programs, but the length of detention varies widely depending on the specifics of their case.
We will continue to keep you updated as this story develops.