Crime
Dallas ICE facility shooting suspect Joshua Jahn downloaded and used ICEBlock to locate ICE officers
Federal investigators are examining whether a controversial app promoted earlier this year played a role in last week’s deadly attack at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dallas.
The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Joshua Jahn, opened fire from the rooftop of a nearby building at approximately 6:40 a.m. on September 24, targeting an ICE field office and an unmarked transport van carrying detainees.
The sniper attack left two detainees dead, a third critically injured, and Jahn himself deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
According to FBI Director Kash Patel, Jahn’s digital activity revealed extensive pre-attack research.
Investigators found evidence that he downloaded and used ICEBlock, a mobile app designed to crowdsource and share the real-time locations of ICE officers.
The app allows users to anonymously pin ICE sightings on a map, sending alerts to anyone within a five-mile radius.
CNN featured the app in June, shortly after its April launch, describing it as an “early warning system” for undocumented migrants seeking to avoid enforcement.
Developer Joshua Aaron was interviewed in the report, which drew sharp criticism from federal officials.
At the time, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons denounced CNN’s coverage, calling it “reckless and irresponsible.” He warned, “Advertising an app that basically paints a target on federal law enforcement officers’ backs is sickening.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also condemned the platform, stating that it “encourages violence against law enforcement officers who are trying to keep our country safe.”
Director Patel now says Jahn’s online activity corresponded with a spike in downloads of ICEBlock following CNN’s story.
His searches also included a DHS facility directory in Dallas County, research into ballistics, and case studies of prior mass shootings.
“This indicates a high degree of pre-attack planning,” Patel said, noting that Jahn appeared specifically focused on federal immigration enforcement.
At the scene, investigators recovered unspent rifle rounds engraved with anti-ICE slogans and a handwritten note in which Jahn expressed a desire to instill “real terror” among immigration officers.
The Dallas attack marks the fourth violent incident at a Department of Homeland Security facility in Texas this year.
DHS officials say threats and attacks targeting ICE personnel have surged by more than 1,000% in recent months, prompting immediate nationwide security enhancements.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.