MAGA Republicans have jumped to blame Democrats for a fatal shooting at a Texas immigration facility that left two people dead and two others injured.
Federal authorities say detainees were among the victims. No federal agents had been injured, but according to the FBI, rounds found near the shooter contained messages that were “anti-ICE in nature.”
Even before the circumstances of the shooting were known, Vice President JD Vance posted on X that “the obsessive attack on law enforcement, particularly ICE, must stop.”
Right-wing provocateur Laura Loomer also chimed in, declaring that “it’s pretty obvious a memo has gone out to the radical left. They will be killing their targets from roof tops.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that “these horrendous killings must serve as a wake-up call to the far left.”
And one social media user whose profile is an image of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis even went so far as to suggest that Democrats such as California Governor Gavin Newsom, Chicago Governor JB Pritzker, and Congresswomen Jasmine Crockett and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez should be arrested for demeaning ICE.
“Democrats like Newsom, Pritzker, AOC, and Crockett are purposefully doing this in hopes that the radicals in their party will commit acts of violence to intimidate,” wrote @CryptidPolitics, who describes himself as a pro-Trump Republican, strategist, and Christian.
The shooting took place before 6.40 a.m. at the Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office, a facility that is typically used to process illegal immigrants after they have been arrested and before they are transported to a long-term detention facility.
According to preliminary police investigations, the suspect opened fire on the office from an adjacent building.
Two people are dead, including the shooter, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
At a brief press conference in which no questions were taken, Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent Joe Rothrock described the incident as an act of “targeted violence.”
He said that rounds found near the shooter contained messages that were “anti-ICE in nature” but he added that no ICE agents were injured.
“While we’re not releasing identities of any victims at this time, what I can confirm you for you is no members of law enforcement were hurt during this attack,” he said.
FBI director Kash Patel also took to social media to post images of the bullet casings, writing on X: While the investigation is ongoing, an initial review of the evidence shows an idealogical motive behind this attack. One of the unspent shell casings recovered was engraved with the phrase “ANTI ICE.”
The shooting took place amid escalating tensions over ICE, whose officers are central to President Donald Trump’s mass deportation strategy.
In recent months, clashes have erupted at immigration detention sites and protestors have accused ICE officers of using excessive force in rounding up immigrants.
In California, Newsom recently signed a law banning ICE and other federal agents from wearing identity-concealing masks during enforcement operations, in a bid to promote transparency and accountability.
Nationally, the Democratic governor has also accused ICE of acting as Donald Trump’s “private police force,” prompting significant pushback from the White House.
But Wednesday’s shooting was one of a number of instances where an ICE facility in Texas was targeted this year.
Last month, a bomb threat was reported in Dallas when 36-year-old Bratton Dean Wilkinson arrived the ICE facility and “claimed to have a bomb in his backpack,” according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Speaking at a press conference after the incident, Texas Senator Ted Cruz invoked the memory of Charlie Kirk, saying: “This needs to stop.”
“To every politician who is using rhetoric demonizing ICE and demonizing CBP (Customs and Border Protection): stop. To every politician demanding that ICE agents be doxed and calling for people to go after their families: stop,” he said.
Wednesday’s shooting was not the first time that MAGA Republicans have taken to social media before the full facts of a case have emerged.
Earlier this month, FBI director Kash Patel drew strong criticism for prematurely announcing a person was in custody in connection with the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The announcement was walked back less than two hours later when the individual was released.
Vance’s comments were met with a fierce backlash.
“Come on, man. Can’t you wait for the facts before you try to push a narrative?” wrote Meidas Touch co-founder Brett Meiselas.
Police are expected to hold a press conference on the shooting later this morning.
