At a Glance
- Residents in South Fort Worth fear nightly gunfire on New Year’s Eve.
- Teens have fired at least 30 shots over the Sycamore Creek bridge; 4 reports in a month.
- Community demands more police presence and security.
- Why it matters: The ongoing violence threatens families’ safety and shows gaps in local law-enforcement response.
South Fort Worth homeowners are living in a state of constant fear as armed youth routinely fire shots into their neighborhood, with the latest incident occurring just before midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Gunfire Incidents
The most recent shooting happened at about 4 a.m. on New Year’s Eve, when residents heard 30 gunshots over the bridge near Sycamore Creek.
A detective later found 30 shell casings-mostly 9 mm and 10 mm rounds-on the bridge, indicating powerful firepower.
Similar bursts were reported the following Sunday, and earlier incidents included shots that struck a house, a car, a garage door, and a neighbor’s home.
- Teens gather on the small bridge over Sycamore Creek.
- Shots come from multiple firearms.
- Stray bullets pierced a neighbor’s home and Aviles’ pickup truck.
Community Response
Residents have installed surveillance cameras and maintain constant communication, reporting each new round of shots to ensure no one is hurt.
Ernesto Arango, a U.S. Marine who retired in the area, says the Fort Worth Police Department’s response is inconsistent.
Ernesto Arango stated:
> “Fort Worth responds when we call. Sometimes it’s quick, sometimes it’s not. We’ve made plenty police reports and they patrol ever so frequently and then it fades.”
He also shared that after three tours in Iraq over his 23-year career, he sought peace but now faces nightly gunfire at home.
Joseph Aviles, who moved to Sycamore Landing four years ago, says his daughter witnessed the aftermath and he is considering leaving the neighborhood.
Joseph Aviles said:
> “What can I say to her? It’s gotten to the point where I’m considering leaving this neighborhood because I don’t want my kids to feel unsafe in their own home.”
Both residents call for a stronger police presence and security from the homeowners association.
They suggest the HOA hires security or that Fort Worth PD station a patrol car during night hours.
Officer Dangiel Segura of the Fort Worth Police Department replied that residents should continue to call 911 or use non-emergency lines and that the department will forward the information to patrol.
Officer Dangiel Segura said:
> “We continue to encourage all residents in the area to call 911 or non-emergency. We will forward this information to the patrol division.”
| Date | Shots | Location |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Eve, 4 a.m. | 30 | Sycamore Creek bridge |
| Sunday | 30 | Sycamore Creek bridge |
| Other incidents | unknown | Intersection & homes |
The four reports in the past month underscore the urgency of increased security.
Key Takeaways
- Teens repeatedly fire at least 30 shots over Sycamore Creek bridge.
- Residents report inconsistent police response and seek more security.
- No injuries yet, but fear of future harm remains high.
With no injuries so far, the community’s growing anxiety highlights the need for immediate action from law enforcement and local authorities.
