Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson on Wednesday released the following statement on the shooting that took place at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dallas:
“Violence like this morning’s shooting at the Dallas ICE facility should never happen. This is not just an attack on law enforcement and the victims, but—like other similar attacks—it is an attack on our community and on our nation’s heritage of civil and democratic discourse.
“This should not be a partisan issue. We should all condemn violence intended to serve a political agenda and work together to end it. And during these times of great division, we must work that much harder, speak that much clearer, and listen that much more earnestly. Our communities, our city, and our country are built on shared values. Now, more than ever, we must remember those shared values and the fact that we have more in common than what divides us.
“Dallas did not deserve what transpired this morning. We are better than this craven act of violence. In moments like this, our city must stand together and support one another. We must heal. I sincerely believe in the power of prayer, and I ask this city to join me in praying for the victims and their families. We must also recognize that violence like this affects our entire city, so let us also pray for peace, calm, and patience in all of our communities.
“I am profoundly grateful to the Dallas Police Department and to our federal, state, and county law enforcement partners for their efforts today. But their work makes our city safer and stronger every day. Now, we must be patient, remain calm, and allow them to do their jobs.
“As we move forward, it is more important than ever for us to remain steadfast in our commitment to the safety of the Dallas community—the entire Dallas community.”
