On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, tragedy struck Bowie High School as reports of shots fired near a portable building on campus prompted immediate response from School Resource Officers. Upon arrival, officers discovered an 18-year-old male student unresponsive on the ground. The officers performed life-saving measures on the young man until paramedics arrived. He was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased from his injuries.
The school was placed on lockdown as officers secured the area and apprehended the suspected shooter nearby without further incident. The suspect, Julian Howard, has been charged with Murder.
Detectives are still working to determine a motive for the shooting, but it appears the suspect and victim knew each other.
Once the suspect was in custody and the area secured, the lockdown was lifted, and students and staff were relocated to an off-site reunification center to be reunited with their families.
"Our hearts go out to the entire Bowie High School community," stated Chief of Police Al Jones. "Violence has no place in our neighborhoods or schools. We remain committed to ensuring the safety of our schools in collaboration with Arlington ISD."
The victim has been identified as 18-year-old Etavion Barnes by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner.
The investigation remains ongoing.
