An MSNBC analyst sparked debate Wednesday by warning that authorities should not jump to conclusions about the motive behind the deadly Dallas ICE facility attack.
Former law enforcement official Tom Manger, speaking on the network, stressed that investigators must examine the shooter’s digital communications, social media and family contacts to understand what truly drove him.
“You can’t just assume by that, what was written on that shell casing, that that’s necessarily his motivation,” he said. “Analyzing the person’s phone, computer, and talking to family and friends is how investigators get an idea of what really drove them.”
Critics noted the irony of Manger’s caution given that the suspect, Joshua Jahn, comes from a politically outspoken, liberal family.
Authorities have identified Jahn, 29, as the gunman who killed two illegal immigrants at the Dallas ICE facility before taking his own life around 6:40 a.m., according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“He fired indiscriminately at the ICE building, including at a van in the sallyport where the victims were shot,” DHS said.
No law enforcement officers were injured.
In a recent report, Resist the Mainstream highlighted that FBI Director Kash Patel posted images of shell casings recovered from the scene, including one engraved with “Anti-ICE.”
Manger, however, noted that the “ANTI-ICE” message could have been a joke or an attempt to mislead authorities.
In light of the latest revelations, Jahn’s background is now under scrutiny.
His mother, Sharon Jahn, 65, is a retired massage school administrator and vocal advocate of stricter gun laws.
She has frequently criticized Republican leaders, particularly after the 2022 Uvalde shooting, and follows progressive figures such as former Vice President Kamala Harris and MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, along with accounts tied to the Democratic Socialists of America.
Court filings show Joshua Jahn had no significant criminal record beyond a 2016 deferred felony drug charge, according to Newsmax.
Experts emphasize that identifying a suspect’s true motive requires more than surface-level indicators.
Analysts note that symbolic gestures—such as engraved bullets—can mislead both investigators and the public if not examined in context.
Authorities continue to review Jahn’s phone, computer, social media and communications with acquaintances to determine whether he acted alone or under external influence.
“By analyzing this individual’s digital footprint and speaking to those close to him, investigators can better understand his radicalization and preparation,” said Manger.
The Dallas ICE facility has faced repeated threats in recent months.
In August, officials reported a bomb threat and in July, other Texas ICE locations were targeted by gunfire.
The Daily Caller notes that these incidents coincided with increased criticism of ICE by Democrats, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), who compared ICE agents to “slave patrols” and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who called the agency a “modern-day Gestapo.”
Analysts say such rhetoric, while political, can influence public perception and media coverage surrounding attacks on federal personnel.
Independent reviewers have questioned the accuracy of that comparison, noting that Tarrant wrote on guns rather than bullets and that attributing tactics across ideological lines can misrepresent the facts.
Conservative commentators criticized major news outlets for emphasizing speculative narratives over verifiable facts, warning that framing politically sensitive attacks in a misleading way undermines public trust and can endanger federal employees.
Officials continue to investigate all aspects of the attack, including Jahn’s potential radicalization, communications and any accomplices or influencing factors.
DHS and the FBI stress that only a careful review of evidence, family accounts and digital records will reveal the true motive behind the shooting.
The case underscores the importance of objective analysis in politically charged incidents, where assumptions can quickly overshadow verified information.
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