By Staff | TX3DNews.com
DALLAS — Within hours of Wednesday morning’s shooting at the Dallas ICE field office, U.S. Rep. Keith Self (R–TX-03) moved from an initial call to “await more details” to describing the attack as “politically motivated” and blaming “the radical Left” and “liberal media.” The shift in framing came while the federal investigation was still underway and before officials had announced a final determination of motive.
What officials have said so far
In a Wednesday press release, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said a sniper opened fire from a nearby rooftop, striking the facility and a van in the sallyport. Three detainees were shot; one detainee is deceased and two are in critical condition. The shooter was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. DHS said shell casings with anti-ICE messages were recovered and described the incident as “an attack on ICE law enforcement.”
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem added: “Our prayers are with the families of those killed and our ICE law enforcement. This vile attack was motivated by hatred for ICE.” She said DHS has “been warning politicians and the media to tone down their rhetoric” about ICE and that such rhetoric “has consequences.” The department also noted a bomb threat at the same facility last month that resulted in an arrest by local authorities.
Self’s statements, hours apart
In an early post shared to Facebook and X, Self wrote: “The tragic shooting at the Dallas ICE Detention Facility this morning is devastating. While we await more details, please join Tracy and me in extending our heartfelt prayers to the victims and their families.”
Later the same day, he posted: “As new details emerge, it’s clear the shooting at the Dallas ICE Detention Facility was a politically motivated attack against ICE law enforcement officers. This heinous act comes as ICE agents face a staggering 1000% spike in assaults. Such violence is undoubtedly fueled by the radical Left and their allies in the liberal media, who relentlessly demonize our brave ICE heroes. This dangerous rhetoric must stop before more lives are lost. I stand firmly with the men and women of ICE and pray for the victims of this horrific crime.”
As of publication, federal officials have not announced a final motive or any organizational ties. Their public description emphasizes targeting of ICE alongside an ongoing investigation into ideology and intent.
The “1,000% spike in assaults” claim
Self’s later post cited a “staggering 1,000% spike in assaults” on ICE officers. DHS has recently highlighted a sharp increase in assaults on ICE personnel in public statements, but the department’s notices do not, in the body text, specify the baseline, timeframe, or methodology underlying that figure. TX3DNews has asked Self’s office and DHS for the data series and definitions (e.g., what counts as “assault,” and over what period the comparison is made). This story will be updated with any documentation provided.
Reactions
Members of the Dallas-area Democratic House delegation — including Reps. Julie Johnson, Marc Veasey, and Jasmine Crockett — condemned the shooting, offered prayers for the victims, and urged leaders to rely on verified facts and avoid inflaming rhetoric while the investigation is ongoing. In a reply beneath Self’s Facebook post, Democratic TX-03 candidate Evan Hunt criticized Self’s framing, saying “you are trying to use this tragedy to push for the infringement of free speech and the silencing of opposition.”
Questions of consistency raised by constituents
Self’s rapid attribution also prompted comparisons to two recent local incidents that drew concern among immigrant and Muslim residents in Collin County:
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Plano arrest tied to threats in New York: A Plano man was arrested and later indicted in Queens, N.Y., in a case involving alleged threats against Assembly Member (and mayoral candidate) Zohran Mamdani.
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McKinney Islamic Association sign vandalized: A “Coming Soon” sign for a planned mosque site in McKinney was defaced; police opened an investigation.
A review of Self’s recent public posts by TX3DNews found no statements addressing either incident as of publication time. We asked Self’s office whether comments were issued at the time and will add links if provided.
What is known—and what remains under review
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Victims: DHS reports one detainee deceased and two detainees in critical condition; no ICE officers injured have been reported publicly.
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Evidence: DHS published an image of shell casings bearing anti-ICE messaging and characterized the case as an attack on ICE law enforcement; federal agencies continue to assess motive and affiliations.
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Prior incident: DHS noted a bomb threat at the same facility last month that led to an arrest by local authorities.
What TX3DNews is seeking
To clarify the record and timeline for readers, TX3DNews has asked Rep. Self’s office to provide:
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What specific new facts were received between the initial “await details” post and the later statement asserting political motive;
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Whether those facts came from official briefings (and, if so, which agency and at what time), staff monitoring, or public reporting;
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The underlying data for the “1,000% spike in assaults” claim, including definition, baseline, and timeframe; and
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Links to any prior statements Self issued regarding the Plano indictment and the McKinney sign vandalism.
TX3DNews has also requested on-the-record statements from DHS, ICE, and Rep. Self’s office; the FBI National Press Office responded that it has “no updates at this time.”