Following the Sept. 24 sniper attack at a Dallas ICE field office, which left one detainee dead and two others wounded, a senior Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official identified the victims to USA TODAY. The victims include:
- Angel Garcia-Hernandez (32, Mexico) – Convictions include giving false information, evading arrest, DWI, and fleeing police. His family reported he is in critical condition after being shot multiple times in the side, back, stomach, and neck. He grew up in Arlington, Texas, and has lived in the U.S. for over 20 years.
- Miguel Angel Garcia – Identified by relatives through a GoFundMe page as one of the critically wounded. His family described him as a husband and father now “in grave condition.”
- José Andrés Bordones-Molina (Venezuela) – Criminal record includes property theft and a traffic offense.
- Norlan Guzman-Fuentes – Nationality not disclosed; prior arrests include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery, and DWI.
The official did not clarify which victim died or provide details on the conditions of the surviving detainees.
Families Plead for Information
Families of the victims expressed frustration with the lack of official updates. Advocacy groups noted that ICE’s own National Detention Standards require death reports to be released within 24 to 48 hours, yet no formal statement has been issued.
Immigration attorney George Rodriguez criticized the delay: “We need to recognize that these are people … spouses, parents, somebody’s child.” Advocates argued that detainees’ suffering was being overlooked in the focus on law enforcement.
FBI Investigation and Federal Response
At a Sept. 25 press conference, Dallas FBI Special Agent in Charge Joseph Rothrock described the incident as a “targeted, ambush-style attack on law enforcement.” He confirmed the FBI is treating the case as an active investigation and said updates on detainees would be left to ICE.
Rothrock added that the shooter’s motivation was clear: “He wanted to cause terror. He wanted to harm ICE personnel.” The Department of Homeland Security also blamed “activists, sanctuary politicians, and the media” for fueling hostility toward law enforcement.
Broader Context: ICE Operations and Detention in Texas
Texas leads the U.S. in ICE deportation detentions, with over 28,243 arrests between January and July 2024. Dallas tops the state with 10,901 arrests, according to independent research.
Local immigrant advocacy groups, such as Vecinos Unidos DFW, reported receiving panicked calls from families fearful their detained relatives were among the victims. Organizer Flaka Martinez voiced concern that officials were prioritizing the safety narrative of ICE personnel over detainees: “They are choosing to be in that line of work … detainees are not.”
Ongoing Uncertainty
Unlike typical ICE death-in-custody announcements, the shooting victims’ identities and conditions remain largely undisclosed. Civil rights groups argue the “black hole of information” is harmful to families and communities seeking answers.
For now, the incident remains under FBI investigation, with families, advocates, and immigrant rights groups continuing to push for greater transparency and accountability.
