Illegal Immigrant Sentenced for Firing 100 Shots From Dallas Bridge

A 19-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico has been sentenced to 35 months in federal prison for firing more than 100 shots from an AR-style rifle off the Margaret McDermott Bridge in Dallas on New Year's Eve. Jose Alarcon Sanchez, who entered the U.S. in May 2025 and overstayed his temporary visa, pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing a firearm as an illegal immigrant.

The incident, captured on a viral video, showed Sanchez and another individual taking turns firing rifles off the bridge while crowds gathered below to watch fireworks. Approximately 100 shell casings were recovered from the scene. Federal authorities stated that the actions endangered the public and could have resulted in tragedy.

Sanchez was apprehended by Grand Prairie Police responding to a separate shots-fired call. Investigators later found multiple firearms at his residence, including an AR-15-style pistol matching the casings found at the bridge. His Mexican passport confirmed his illegal status in the United States.

Investigators also used the widely viewed video, which garnered over 6.5 million views, and other social media posts showing Sanchez with the weapons to link him to the crime. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould emphasized that the sentence demonstrates a clear consequence for turning celebrations into crime scenes and vowed to continue using federal tools to protect the public from such brazen conduct.

Judge David C. Godbey acknowledged Sanchez's youth but stressed the necessity of a severe punishment due to the extreme danger posed by his actions. The ATF agent in charge, Brian Garner, also commented on the dangerous nature of the stunt and the risk it presented to innocent bystanders.