A New Year’s celebration in Dallas took a terrifying turn when a video surfaced showing individuals recklessly firing guns from a major bridge. The footage, quickly spreading across the globe, ignited public fury and launched a massive police investigation into a string of connected acts of violence.
Dallas Police swiftly identified two suspects, Anthony Acevedo, 20, and Jose AlarconSanchez, 18, both from Grand Prairie, as those seen discharging firearms from the Margaret McDermott Bridge overlooking Interstate 30. Over one hundred shell casings were recovered near the scene, painting a stark picture of the danger posed by their actions.
The investigation didn’t stop with the bridge incident. Detectives discovered AlarconSanchez had already been arrested earlier that day by Grand Prairie Police for a similar firearms offense. This revelation signaled a pattern of escalating recklessness and prompted a deeper dive into potential connections.
That deeper dive proved fruitful. Investigators linked 25-year-old Anderson Derce Lara to a harrowing road-rage shooting from November. Lara allegedly fired multiple rounds into a vehicle occupied by three adults and three children, a chilling act that could have easily resulted in tragedy.
Working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, authorities executed a search warrant, uncovering multiple firearms. Crucially, rifles matching those seen in the viral bridge video were recovered, solidifying Lara’s connection to both incidents.
Acevedo and AlarconSanchez now face charges related to discharging a firearm within city limits. Derce Lara faces far more serious consequences, charged with six counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon – a first-degree felony.
While Acevedo has been released on bond, both AlarconSanchez and Derce Lara are currently being held on immigration detainers. The Dallas Police Chief made a clear statement: those who endanger lives in the city will be relentlessly pursued and held accountable.
The investigation remains active, suggesting authorities are still working to uncover the full extent of the suspects’ activities and any potential accomplices. The case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of gun violence and the dedication of law enforcement to protecting the community.
