DALLAS (BN240 — A second detainee wounded in last week’s attack on a Dallas immigration field office has died, his family announced Tuesday, bringing the death toll from the Sept. 24 shooting to two victims.
Miguel Ángel García-Hernández, 32, succumbed to his injuries after being removed from life support, his family confirmed in a statement shared by the League of United Latin American Citizens. The Mexican national leaves behind a pregnant wife and four children, with a fifth child expected soon.
García-Hernández was one of three detainees shot when gunman Joshua Jahn, 29, opened fire from a nearby rooftop at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. The attack killed Norlan Guzman-Fuentes and left García-Hernández and another detainee critically wounded. No ICE personnel were injured in the assault.
Authorities said Jahn harbored hatred for the U.S. government and intended to incite terror by killing federal agents. He fired indiscriminately at the facility before taking his own life following the attack.
The shooting occurred amid heightened immigration enforcement that has generated backlash against ICE agents and stirred fear throughout immigrant communities nationwide. The Trump administration’s expanded deportation operations have intensified tensions surrounding immigration policy and enforcement.
García-Hernández’s widow, Stephany Gauffeny, described her husband as a devoted family man who worked tirelessly to provide for his children. “My husband Miguel was a good man, a loving father, and the provider for our family,” Gauffeny said in the statement. “We had just bought our first home together, and he worked hard every single day to make sure our children had what they needed.”
The family had recently achieved a milestone by purchasing their first home, representing years of García-Hernández’s labor and dedication to building a stable life for his family. His death has devastated those he left behind.
“His death is a senseless tragedy that has left our family shattered,” Gauffeny continued. “I do not know how to explain to our children that their father is gone.”
LULAC confirmed that Gauffeny is expecting the couple’s fifth child, adding another layer of tragedy to the family’s loss. García-Hernández will never meet his youngest child, who will grow up without knowing their father.
The attack on the Dallas ICE facility represents one of the deadliest incidents targeting immigration enforcement operations in recent memory. The targeting of detainees rather than ICE personnel raised questions about the gunman’s specific motivations and planning.
Federal investigators have been examining Jahn’s background and the circumstances that led to the attack. Authorities recovered evidence at the scene, including ammunition with anti-ICE messaging, suggesting ideological opposition to immigration enforcement operations.
The deaths of García-Hernández and Guzman-Fuentes underscore the vulnerability of individuals held in immigration detention facilities. Both men were in ICE custody awaiting immigration proceedings when they became victims of the violent assault.
Immigration advocacy organizations have expressed grief over the losses while renewing calls for comprehensive immigration reform and improved security measures at detention facilities. The incident has sparked discussions about protecting detained individuals from external threats.
The third detainee wounded in the attack remains hospitalized, though their current condition has not been publicly disclosed by authorities. Medical personnel have not provided updates on their prognosis or expected recovery timeline.
García-Hernández’s death occurred days after the initial shooting, following his family’s difficult decision to remove life support after medical professionals determined his injuries were unsurvivable. The family faced the agonizing choice of when to end life-sustaining treatment.
The League of United Latin American Citizens has been supporting García-Hernández’s family during this difficult period, helping coordinate funeral arrangements and providing assistance with immediate needs. The organization has also advocated for the family’s privacy as they grieve.
Community members in Dallas and beyond have expressed condolences to both families affected by the shooting. Vigils and memorial services have been organized to honor the victims and support their surviving family members.
The attack has reignited debates about immigration enforcement policies and their broader societal impacts. Advocates on various sides of immigration issues have cited the incident to support their respective positions on enforcement approaches.
Federal officials continue investigating whether Jahn had connections to broader anti-government or anti-immigration enforcement networks, or whether he acted independently. The FBI and other agencies are examining his communications and activities leading up to the attack.
The Dallas shooting occurred as the Trump administration has ramped up immigration enforcement operations across the country, including increased detention capacity and expanded deportation efforts that have generated significant controversy and legal challenges.
García-Hernández’s death leaves his family facing an uncertain future without their primary provider. Community organizations and family supporters are working to establish assistance funds to help Gauffeny and her children navigate the financial hardship resulting from his death.
The tragedy highlights the human cost of violence targeting immigration facilities and the lasting impact on families when detainees become victims of attacks they could not have anticipated or prevented while in federal custody.
