Arlington, Texas – Mothers of gun violence victims are rallying Bowie High School students to speak out following the tragic shooting that claimed the life of an 18-year-old on campus.
After the devastating incident involving Etavion Barnes, classes were canceled at Bowie High School on Thursday. The Arlington ISD announced that classes would not resume until Monday, allowing time for police investigators to continue their examination of the campus.
The shooting occurred on Wednesday afternoon, prompting a lockdown at Bowie High School around 2:50 p.m. Barnes was shot outside, near a portable classroom building.
Authorities received a description of the suspected shooter, leading to the quick apprehension of a person matching that description still on campus. This person was identified as 17-year-old Julian Howard and is now in custody facing charges of murder and possession of a controlled substance, although the weapon has not yet been found.
The tragic death at Bowie High School brought grieving mothers to the scene, including the founder of Mothers of Murdered Angels, who expressed empathy for the latest victim’s family.
Speaking outside the school, she emphasized the importance of community involvement in preventing such senseless violence. She encouraged students to speak up and report any concerning behavior to prevent future tragedies.
Despite Howard’s silence with detectives, the motive behind the shooting remains unknown. The call for vigilance and action against gun violence echoes throughout the community, urging unity in protecting the safety of all students.