Dallas, Texas — Joshua Jahn, the 29-year-old suspect responsible for a deadly shooting at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dallas on September 24, 2025, allegedly used a controversial app, ICEBlock, to help locate and target ICE officers before carrying out the attack.

The shooting took place at around 6:40 a.m., with Jahn opening fire from the rooftop of a nearby building. The attack targeted an ICE field office and an unmarked transport van carrying detainees. Two detainees were killed in the sniper attack, and a third was critically injured. Jahn, who ultimately died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, is believed to have planned the attack extensively before executing it.

ICEBlock App: A Controversial Tool for Targeting ICE Officers

According to FBI Director Kash Patel, investigators discovered that Joshua Jahn had downloaded and used ICEBlock, a mobile app designed to crowdsource and share real-time locations of ICE officers. The app allows users to anonymously pin sightings of ICE officers on a map, sending alerts to anyone within a five-mile radius.

The ICEBlock app was first launched in April 2025, and it quickly garnered attention for its potential to aid undocumented migrants by providing warnings about ICE enforcement. In June 2025, CNN featured the app in a report that described it as an “early warning system” for those seeking to avoid ICE enforcement.

The ICEBlock app quickly faced backlash from federal officials, including ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, who denounced CNN’s coverage of the app. Lyons called it “reckless and irresponsible,” warning that the app effectively “paints a target on federal law enforcement officers’ backs.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also condemned the app, stating that it “encourages violence against law enforcement officers who are trying to keep our country safe.”

Jahn’s Digital Activity and Pre-Attack Research

Director Patel revealed that Jahn’s digital activity indicated extensive pre-attack planning. Investigators found that Jahn’s search history included a DHS facility directory for Dallas County, research into ballistics, and case studies of previous mass shootings. These findings suggest that Jahn was specifically focused on targeting federal immigration enforcement and had conducted detailed research before carrying out the attack.

“This indicates a high degree of pre-attack planning,” Patel stated, adding that Jahn’s actions appeared to be part of a larger ideological motive against ICE enforcement. The evidence recovered at the scene, including unspent rifle rounds engraved with anti-ICE slogans, further corroborates this theory.

Handwritten Note Found at the Scene

At the scene of the attack, investigators recovered a handwritten note in which Jahn expressed his desire to instill “real terror” among ICE officers. This note, along with other pieces of evidence, has helped law enforcement piece together the motivation behind the attack.

A Surge in Attacks and Threats Against ICE Personnel

The shooting marks the fourth violent incident at a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) facility in Texas this year. According to DHS officials, threats and attacks targeting ICE personnel have surged by more than 1,000% in recent months, prompting an immediate nationwide security enhancement to protect ICE officers and facilities.

This disturbing trend has drawn attention to the growing risks faced by federal law enforcement officers working to enforce immigration laws. Federal authorities are calling for increased vigilance and security measures to safeguard personnel, especially in areas where there has been an uptick in violent incidents.

The Investigation and Response

The FBI and Texas law enforcement agencies are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Investigators are reviewing all available evidence, including Jahn’s online activity, to determine how the attack was planned and whether it was part of a broader pattern of targeted violence against ICE personnel.

Officials have also emphasized that the ICEBlock app, while controversial, is just one of many factors contributing to the broader conversation about immigration enforcement and the safety of federal law enforcement officers. The FBI and DHS are committed to ensuring that such acts of violence are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.

Final Thoughts: A Tragic and Preventable Attack

The attack on the Dallas ICE facility serves as a grim reminder of the growing risks faced by federal law enforcement officers working on the front lines of immigration enforcement. It also underscores the potential dangers posed by technologies that facilitate the tracking of law enforcement officers’ movements, raising concerns about security and privacy.

As the investigation continues, the community remains shocked and saddened by the loss of two detainees and the injury of a third. At the same time, law enforcement agencies are focusing on ensuring that those responsible for this tragedy are brought to justice and that security measures are enhanced to prevent future attacks.