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.
Authorities have identified the man shot and killed Friday afternoon in a parking lot outside a Little Caesars restaurant in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.
The victim has been named as Stevens Jeffrey, 29, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The shooting occurred in the 2600 block of West Cermak Road near Rockwell Street at approximately 1:10 p.m., according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD).
Preliminary reports indicate that Jeffrey was sitting in his vehicle when he was approached by an unknown vehicle.
An armed individual exited that vehicle and opened fire, striking Jeffrey multiple times in the face and body.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene, where Jeffrey was pronounced dead. He was discovered inside his vehicle with his two young children, ages 4 and 6, who were unharmed.
Both children were transported to Stroger Hospital for precautionary evaluation.
The shooting took place in the parking lot of a Little Caesars restaurant, where investigators recovered multiple shell casings and placed numerous evidence markers on the ground.
As of Friday evening, no suspects are in custody, and detectives from the CPD Area Four Homicide Unit are leading the investigation. Police have not released information on a possible motive.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about this homicide to contact Chicago Police or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTip.com.