David Dashaun Yancy, 27, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould announced Thursday. Yancy is accused of firing into a crowd in Dallas' Deep Ellum entertainment district, injuring seven people. All seven suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to court documents. Yancy surrendered to the Dallas Police Department on November 4 and remains in custody.
According to court documents, Dallas police responded to reports of gunfire around 1 a.m. on November 1. Surveillance footage obtained by investigators allegedly shows Yancy pulling a handgun from his waistband and later firing into the crowd. Investigators recovered 11 fired 9mm cartridge casings and projectiles from the scene. Authorities said he had a prior felony conviction in Dallas County and was on deferred adjudication probation for child endangerment at the time. He also had an active warrant for a probation violation.
The charge follows Operation Deep Cover, a coordinated law enforcement effort targeting violent crime and illegal firearms in Dallas entertainment and commercial districts. The operation includes the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Texas Department of Public Safety and Dallas Police Department. Raybould said the task forces have already produced multiple federal charges. Yancy faces up to 15 years in federal prison if convicted. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marissa Aulbaugh is prosecuting the case.