A considerable queue of parents remains at a reunification center, awaiting the opportunity to collect their children following the tragic shooting incident outside Bowie High School in Arlington on Wednesday.
Julian Howard, a 17-year-old student, has been arrested and formally charged with murder, as indicated by records from the Arlington Jail.
Upon responding to reports of gunfire outside the portable buildings on the Bowie High School campus around 2:50 p.m., Arlington Police Chief Al Jones stated that officers discovered the victim, Etavion Barnes, unresponsive on the ground.
Jones stated, “The officers promptly initiated life-saving procedures while awaiting the arrival of paramedics. The young man was then transported to the local hospital, and it is with great sadness that I report he succumbed to his injuries.”
Jones expressed his heartfelt sorrow over the outcome. Following the incident, Bowie High School was promptly placed on lockdown.
Jones further mentioned that officers apprehended the suspect, a 17-year-old male student, not far from the school, and he was subsequently taken into custody.
“Our thoughts are with the entire Bowie High School community tonight,” expressed Jones. “As a community, we must stand firm against such violence, both in our neighborhoods and within our schools. Violence is never a solution. We remain committed to collaborating closely with our partners at Arlington ISD to uphold safe learning environments within our schools.”
Jones mentioned that the suspect’s identity will be disclosed later, following his booking into the Arlington City Jail and subsequent investigations. “We suspect that the suspect and the victim were acquainted with each other,” he added.
Jones emphasized, “We cannot tolerate such violence within our community. It is unacceptable in our neighborhoods, and it absolutely has no place in our schools.”
Police are currently facilitating the reunification of students with their families following the three-hour lockdown at the school on Wednesday.
The reunification center is located at 1001 E. Division Street, Arlington ISD Athletics and Aquatics Center, with overflow parking available at lot 11 at AT&T Stadium.
Expressing his dismay, Arlington ISD Superintendent Dr. Matt Smith remarked, “Honestly, I am speechless tonight in the face of this tragedy at Bowie High School this afternoon.
Schools are meant to be environments for learning and growth, and today, that was disrupted by senseless violence.” Dr. Smith announced that classes are canceled for Thursday, April 25.
