Officers say they heard rapid shots, chased suspects, and seized seven guns, three reported stolen.
DALLAS, Texas — A New Year’s Eve surveillance operation at an Oak Cliff apartment complex ended with six teenagers in custody after officers reported hearing rapid gunfire and seeing a group shooting near the entrance, Dallas police said. The arrests unfolded around 10:35 p.m. Dec. 31 in the 3300 block of Southern Oaks.
The episode underscores ongoing efforts by Dallas police to curb celebratory and retaliatory gunfire in large apartment communities during holiday weekends. Authorities said the group had been moving through the complex with handguns and rifles before shots rang out. Two of the arrested teens are documented gang members, and one seized handgun had a machine-gun conversion device attached, according to police. No injuries were reported, but investigators collected shell casings and began tracing the weapons in a case that could lead to more arrests.
Police said officers on a Critical Response Team detail “observed a group of approximately 12 to 15 individuals openly carrying firearms” as they crossed the property. Minutes later, officers “heard rapid gunfire,” moved in, and several people ran. Uniformed units chased suspects through breezeways and parking lots and detained six. The suspects — two 16-year-olds, 17-year-old Ashton Hill, 18-year-old Marcus Kyle, 19-year-old Daveon Gardener, and 19-year-old Trevon Bell — were booked on a range of charges. The department said the scene was secured within minutes and additional officers canvassed for video.
Recovered evidence included seven firearms — five handguns and two rifles — with three listed as stolen. Police also reported seizing about 32.9 grams of marijuana. Booked charges include discharge of a firearm in certain municipalities, evading arrest, riot participation, possession of marijuana in a drug-free zone, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a prohibited weapon. Detectives said two of the older suspects are documented gang members, though they did not disclose the gang affiliation. Officials did not report property damage or injuries at the complex, and a full damage assessment remained unavailable midweek.
Oak Cliff, a sprawling area south of downtown, has seen a mix of proactive enforcement and community programs aimed at reducing gun crime. Police typically run holiday details to deter street racing and random gunfire, a perennial problem around New Year’s. The Southern Oaks corridor includes several large garden-style complexes with interior courtyards and carports — layouts that can complicate line-of-sight for patrols and make it easier for groups to move between buildings. In similar year-end deployments, officers have used camera feeds and unmarked units to watch for illegal discharge and stolen guns.
For the adults in the case, charges will be handled in Dallas County courts; the juveniles’ cases go to the county’s juvenile system. Police said weapon traces have begun through federal databases to identify owners of the three stolen guns and to determine the origin of the conversion device. Detectives are reviewing additional footage to identify others seen carrying weapons during the incident and will refer any new suspects for charging. A timeline for initial court settings was not immediately available Thursday.
Neighbors described a burst of noise followed by sirens as patrol cars converged. “It was fast — like a string of pops — and then officers were everywhere,” said a resident who asked not to be identified. Officers directed people to stay inside while they searched stairwells and carports. By early morning, the complex was quiet again, with additional patrols assigned to the area for the weekend, a department spokesperson said.
As of Thursday, six teenagers remained the only arrests tied to the New Year’s Eve shooting at Southern Oaks. Police said evidence reviews and weapon tracing continue, with an update expected early next week if additional suspects are identified.
Author note: Last updated January 8, 2026.