Notes written by the person who opened fire on an immigration facility in Texas indicate he was targeting ICE agents and did not intend to harm detainees, officials said.
One detainee was killed and two others critically injured after a suspected sniper opened fire at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) centre in Dallas on Wednesday.
The suspected gunman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, law enforcement officials reported.
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, acting US attorney for the Northern district of Texas, Nancy Larson, identified the shooter as 29-year-old Joshua Jahn, of Fairview, Texas.
Notes found at the shooter's home show he intended to maximise lethality against ICE personnel and to maximise property damage at the facility, she said.
He hoped to minimise any collateral damage or injury to the detainees and any other innocent people, she added, clarifying that the shooter was targeting ICE agents and ICE personnel.
The victims have not yet been identified. However, Mexico's foreign ministry has confirmed that one of the injured detainees is a Mexican national.
Officials previously stated that no law enforcement officers were injured or killed during the incident.
FBI director Kash Patel remarked on the significant level of pre-attack planning, citing a note that reads, Hopefully this will give ICE agents real terror, to think, 'is there a sniper with AP rounds on that roof?'
At the Thursday news conference, Larson elaborated that the shooter acted alone, executing a targeted attack that sprayed gunfire across the facility, impacting windows and law enforcement vehicles.
Jahn's motives were highlighted in his handwritten notes, revealing his intent to create terror specifically against ICE personnel. This event is the very definition of terrorism, Larson added.
Although Jahn didn't mention specific groups, he expressed animosity towards the federal government.
ICE and other federal agents displayed bravery during the incident, working under fire to ensure the safety of detainees.
Tensions have risen at ICE facilities as policies surrounding immigration enforcement become stricter, demonstrating the urgent need for support for frontline officers facing threats amid rising anti-ICE sentiments.
