A sniper-style shooting at a Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office has raised concerns among law enforcement experts about a troubling trend of long-range attacks targeting public figures and law enforcement. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning when 29-year-old Joshua Jahn opened fire from a rooftop, killing a detainee and injuring two others.

Jahn, a resident of Fairview, Texas, allegedly planned the attack for months. He used an 8mm bolt-action rifle, which he legally purchased in August, to carry out what officials described as a "targeted, ambush-style attack." FBI Special Agent Joe Rothrock stated that Jahn conducted extensive pre-attack planning, including researching the facility and tracking ICE agents' locations using apps.

The shooting is part of a disturbing pattern of sniper incidents across the country. Since an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in July 2024, there have been at least seven similar incidents. This includes the recent shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed while speaking at an event in Utah.

Rothrock noted that Jahn left behind writings indicating he intended to instill fear in ICE agents. One note allegedly stated, "Hopefully this will give ICE agents a real terror, to think, 'is there a sniper with AP [armor-piercing] rounds on the roof?'" The suspect also inscribed a bullet casing with the message "ANTI-ICE."

Experts like retired deputy sheriff Jesse Hambrick expressed concern over the increasing frequency of these sniper-style attacks. "I believe this is the next chapter, if you will, in our history of violence, specifically active-shooter-type situations," he said.

The Dallas shooting follows a series of sniper attacks that have targeted not only political figures but also law enforcement and emergency responders. In June 2025, two firefighters were killed in Idaho by a suspect who had set a fire to lure them. In August, a gunman shot two Pennsylvania state troopers from a tactical position.

The National Fraternal Order of Police reported a significant rise in assaults against officers, with 229 officers shot in the line of duty in 2025 alone, including 31 fatalities. The report also noted a rise in ambush-style attacks, with 50 incidents resulting in 66 officers shot this year.

In response to the escalating violence, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons emphasized the need for enhanced security measures at ICE facilities. "Obviously, the next step for us is making sure our officers are safe. That's my biggest fear every night," he said.

Experts suggest that law enforcement agencies should reevaluate their security protocols, including collaborating with property owners to limit access to rooftops. Mihalek, a former Secret Service agent, proposed that drones could become a standard tool for monitoring potential threats from above.

As investigations continue into the motives behind the Dallas shooting, the trend of sniper attacks raises urgent questions about public safety and the protection of law enforcement personnel.