A New Year’s celebration turned into a hail of gunfire on a crowded Dallas bridge, as federal authorities have now charged an 18-year-old undocumented immigrant with weapons violations following a dramatic shooting that left more than 100 shell casings scattered across Interstate 30.
Jose Alarcon-Sanchez, who entered the U.S. on a temporary visitor visa in May 2025, faces federal charges of unlawful possession of a firearm as an undocumented immigrant after allegedly firing multiple weapons during New Year’s Eve celebrations on the Margaret McDermott Bridge in downtown Dallas.
Gunfire on a Crowded Bridge
“This type of violent behavior wrought tremendous danger to countless lives on the bridge that night,” U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould stated following the arrest. The incident, captured in videos that quickly went viral, showed multiple individuals firing weapons into the air amid New Year’s celebrations.
Investigators recovered more than 100 shell casings from the scene, with federal complaint documents specifically noting 79 casings from 5.56/.223 caliber weapons and four 9-millimeter casings. The sheer volume of gunfire on a bridge packed with holiday revelers has shocked local officials.
ATF Dallas Special Agent in Charge Brian W. Garner didn’t mince words about the danger. “Firing a rifle from a crowded bridge in the middle of downtown Dallas posed a serious threat to public safety. Through close coordination with the Dallas Police Department and the use of NIBIN, investigators were able to connect critical ballistic evidence and advance this case.”
Arsenal Recovered
How did authorities track down the suspects? Following the bridge incident, Alarcon-Sanchez was arrested on New Year’s Day in Grand Prairie during a separate shots fired call, where officers found him in possession of an AK-47-style rifle and live ammunition, according to police reports.
A subsequent search of Alarcon-Sanchez’s residence yielded a substantial cache of weapons. Authorities discovered a .380 caliber pistol, a 9mm caliber pistol, and three 5.56 caliber AR-15 pistols. Forensic analysis linked at least one of the AR-15s to shell casings recovered from the Margaret McDermott Bridge.
The federal complaint, detailed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, outlines how ballistic evidence played a crucial role in connecting Alarcon-Sanchez to the New Year’s Eve shooting.
Additional Suspects
Alarcon-Sanchez wasn’t alone. Two other men — Anthony Acevedo, 20, and Anderson Derce Lara, 25 — were also arrested in connection with the bridge shooting. Acevedo has since been released on bond, while Lara remains in custody on an immigration hold.
Troublingly, Lara was already wanted for a November road-rage shooting that involved three adults and three children as victims, highlighting concerns about repeat offenders and public safety.
“ATF will continue working with our partners to address violent crime and protect our communities,” Garner pledged in his statement addressing the bridge shooting case.
For Dallas residents, the incident has raised serious questions about public safety during large gatherings and the prevalence of illegal firearms. As the case moves through federal court, it serves as a stark reminder of how quickly celebration can turn to chaos — and the potential consequences when firearms enter public spaces filled with unsuspecting revelers.
