Dallas Bridge Shooting: Man Faces Federal Gun Charge as Immigration Status Questioned
A new federal charge has been filed against one of the individuals arrested in connection with the New Year’s Eve shooting on a Dallas bridge, adding another layer to a case that has raised concerns about public safety and immigration enforcement.
Jose Alarcon-Sanchez, 18, of Grand Prairie, now faces a federal charge of unlawful possession of a firearm, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas. This charge is in addition to a misdemeanor charge of discharging a firearm within city limits, stemming from the initial arrest by Dallas police earlier this week. The escalating legal action follows a search of Alarcon-Sanchez’s home, revealing details about his immigration status and a cache of weapons.
Investigators determined that Alarcon-Sanchez initially entered the U.S. in May 2025 on a temporary visitor visa, but failed to apply for an extension. Authorities allege he has remained in the country illegally, choosing not to return to his native Mexico when his visa expired. The discovery of multiple firearms during the search, including one potentially used in the bridge incident, further complicated the case.
During the search, law enforcement recovered a .380 caliber pistol, a 9mm caliber pistol, and three 5.56 caliber AR-15 pistols. Ballistic analysis has linked one of the AR-15 pistols to casings found near the scene of the New Year’s Eve shooting. Alarcon-Sanchez was initially arrested on New Year’s Day in Grand Prairie following a separate shots fired call, where officers reportedly found live ammunition in his possession, both in his pockets and within his van, along with an AK-47-style rifle.
The investigation, a collaborative effort between the ATF Dallas Field Division, the Dallas Police Department, and the Grand Prairie Police Department, is ongoing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marissa Aulbaugh is leading the prosecution. A court date for Alarcon-Sanchez in federal court has not yet been scheduled.
Evidence Points to Reckless Disregard for Public Safety
Dallas police previously recovered over 100 casings from the bridge, and a recent complaint filing details that 79 of those casings were identified as 5.56/.223 caliber, while four were 9-millimeter. These casings were found in the area where Alarcon-Sanchez and another individual were observed firing rifles. The location of the shooting is visually indicated on a map released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Two other suspects have also been implicated in the incident. Anthony Acevedo, 20, of Grand Prairie, faces a similar charge of discharging a firearm in certain municipalities and has since been released on bond. Authorities also uncovered evidence linking Anderson Derce Lara, 25, to a violent road-rage incident in November, where multiple rounds were allegedly fired into a vehicle carrying three adults and three children, including a three-year-old. Lara is currently being held on an immigration hold.
Official Response Highlights Severity of the Crime
“This type of violent behavior wrought tremendous danger to countless lives on the bridge that night,” stated U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “I applaud our law enforcement partners’ meticulous investigation and use of ballistic evidence to connect this individual to the violent crime he is alleged to have committed on New Year’s Eve.”
Brian W. Garner, ATF Dallas Special Agent in Charge, emphasized the coordinated effort and the importance of ballistic technology in advancing the case. “Firing a rifle from a crowded bridge in the middle of downtown Dallas posed a serious threat to public safety,” Garner said. “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. ATF will continue working with our partners to address violent crime and protect our communities.”
The information presented in this report is sourced from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Texas, and prior reporting by FOX 4. The case underscores the complex intersection of gun violence, immigration law, and public safety concerns in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
