Dallas Bridge Shooting Spree Leads to Arrests, Exposes Broader Gun Violence Pattern
DALLAS — A brazen New Year's Day shooting, captured on video as gunmen fired from a bridge onto Interstate 30, has culminated in multiple arrests and exposed a trail of alleged gun violence across North Texas. The Dallas Police Department announced Tuesday that its investigation, aided by federal authorities, has led to charges against three individuals, with two now subject to immigration detainers.
The suspects, identified as Anthony Acevedo, 20, and Jose AlarconSanchez, 18, both of Grand Prairie, were seen in widely circulated social media footage discharging weapons from the Margaret McDermott Bridge. The incident, which police say sparked immediate public outrage and a "large-scale, aggressive investigation," resulted in the recovery of more than 100 shell casings at the scene.
"This wasn't an isolated act of recklessness," said Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux in a statement. "Our detectives connected these individuals to a pattern of dangerous behavior. If you put lives at risk in Dallas, we will identify you and hold you accountable."
The probe expanded significantly when evidence linked a third suspect, 25-year-old Anderson Derce Lara, to a separate November road-rage incident. Investigators allege Derce Lara fired multiple rounds into a vehicle carrying a family of six, including three children, narrowly missing all occupants. A subsequent search warrant, executed with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), yielded multiple firearms—including rifles matching those in the bridge video—tying Derce Lara to both cases.
Charges range from a class A misdemeanor for unlawful discharge of a firearm for Acevedo and AlarconSanchez, to six first-degree felony counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for Derce Lara. While Acevedo has been released on bond, AlarconSanchez and Derce Lara remain in custody on immigration detainers issued by federal authorities.
The case highlights ongoing challenges with gun violence and interstate criminal investigations in the region. Authorities noted that AlarconSanchez had been arrested by Grand Prairie police for a similar firearms offense just hours before the bridge shooting investigation intensified.
Public Reaction & Commentary
Michael Rodriguez, a local security consultant: "The swift collaboration between DPD and federal agencies like the ATF was crucial here. It shows how digital evidence and inter-agency cooperation can disrupt cycles of violence that often cross jurisdictional lines."
Sarah Chen, community advocate in West Dallas: "It's terrifying to think families were targeted on our highways. While I'm relieved arrests were made, this underscores the need for deeper investment in violence intervention programs, not just reactive policing."
David Miller, a talk radio host: "This is an absolute failure on multiple levels. Reckless gunplay in broad daylight, suspects with prior arrests still on the streets, and now immigration holds? It's a perfect storm of lawlessness that law-abiding citizens are paying for. Where's the deterrent?"
Priya Sharma, law professor at SMU: "The legal process will now weigh the serious felony charges, particularly for the alleged road-rage attack. The immigration detainers add a complex federal layer, but the primary focus must remain on the violent criminal conduct alleged."
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities not ruling out further charges or additional suspects.