Victim, suspect identified in Arlington Bowie High School shooting
The victim and suspect in Wednesday’s deadly school shooting at Arlington Bowie High have been identified.
Police say they are still working to determine the motive and what led to the shooting, but investigators believe the accused shooter, 17-year-old Julian Howard, knew and targeted the victim, 18-year-old Etavion Barnes. Both were students at Bowie High School.
Here’s what we know so far about the shooting.
WHO WAS THE VICTIM?
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office and police identified him as 18-year-old Etavion Barnes.
Arlington Police Chief Al Jones said Barnes was shot about five or six times near a portable classroom building outside the main building on campus about 2:50 p.m.
School resource officers responded immediately and found Barnes lying unresponsive on the ground. The officers attempted life-saving measures until paramedics arrived.
Video shared on social media showed a police officer giving CPR to Barnes before he was taken to Medical City Arlington hospital, where he died.
“I’m truly heartbroken to say he was pronounced dead from his injuries,” Police Chief Al Jones said at a news conference Wednesday night. “... Our hearts are with the entire Bowie High School community tonight. We, as a community, cannot tolerate this kind of violence. Not in our neighborhoods and not in our schools. Violence is never the right answer. We will continue to work in lock step with our partners at Arlington ISD to ensure our schools are safe spaces where students can learn.”
Arlington ISD Superintendent Matt Smith also spoke at the news conference and said, “Words fail me this evening as we grapple with this tragedy that has impacted our entire Bowie High School family. Our schools should be safe places where students love to learn and grow, so we’re devastated that violence disrupted that mission.”
The Rev. Kristen Warthen, senior pastor of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, is collaborating with the Arlington City Council to organize a prayer vigil at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the church, according to a statement from UMC Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr.
“Today, our thoughts are with the students, families, faculty and staff of Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas,” Saenz wrote. “Specifically, we offer our prayers for the family of the student who tragically lost his life. Equally important, we also pray for the student who committed the shooting and his family.”
All are welcome to attend the service at St. Andrew’s UMC, 2045 SE Green Oaks Blvd.
WHO IS THE SUSPECT?
Julian Howard, 17, was arrested at the edge of the Bowie High campus after he ran from the shooting scene, according to police.
When detectives tried to interview Howard, he declined to speak with them without a lawyer present. “They are still working to determine what led to the shooting — but based on their investigation, they do believe Mr. Howard targeted Mr. Barnes,” police said in a news release Thursday.
Howard faces charges of murder, possession of a controlled substance and possession of an e-cigarette under age 21.
When he was taken into custody, he had what police believe to be a THC cartridge on him, which led to the charge of possession of a controlled substance under 1 gram, police said.
Howard was booked into the Arlington City Jail about 8 p.m. Wednesday.
HOW DID THE SHOOTER GET THE GUN?
Arlington police said they are still investigating what type of gun was used and as of Thursday they have not recovered the weapon.
“At this time, we do not know how Mr. Howard obtained a firearm,” police said. “That is all part of the ongoing investigation.”
Police are also investigating whether the suspect had the gun inside the school building at any point. The school has metal detectors, but one teacher told the Star-Telegram it’s possible to sneak a gun past the detectors.
PARENTS WAITED FOR HOURS TO REUNITE WITH KIDS
Families crowded into the parking lot at the Arlington ISD Athletics Center, where students were bused after they started being released from a lockdown. Parents and other family members stood in a line wrapped around the building with many waiting for hours to pick up their children Wednesday evening.
David Barrera recently threw a quinceañera for his granddaughter, Amiah, a Bowie student. He found about about the shooting when Amiah texted his wife.
“Where is Popo?” she asked.
Standing in front of the athletics center waiting for his granddaughter, Barrera experienced waves of emotion. Frustration and anger and fear to relief and thankfulness that she’s alive.
“I’m sad for the person who was shot,” he said. “I’m not glad for any of this. I’m frustrated. I’m angry.”
His granddaughter texted him updates throughout the experience. At one point she said she and other students were told to leave their belongings in the hallway and walk with their hands in the air to the library.
That was a good sign, her grandfather said. Walking with their hands in the air meant police were there and she was safe.
Then she told him she’d been loaded on a bus. When they were halfway there she texted him again.
Barrera said he’s reminded his granddaughter to breathe and to pray a prayer her grandmother taught her. He was in Garland when he got the call from his wife. He said he got to Arlington in what felt like just 20 minutes, still wearing his work uniform.
“I’ve always made her a promise that I will always protect her,” Barrera said. “If she’s ever in danger, I’ll be there. I don’t care if I have to fly. I’ll be there.”
Barrera got a little choked up as he talked about how he taught Amiah to ride a bike. Taught her how to fish. It was the relief coming, along with thoughts of “what if?”
She’s maintaining her composure, Barrera said, and he’s going to do his best to keep his, for her sake.
Barrera planned to let his granddaughter catch her breath, process her emotions and come to him if she wants. After a little while, he said they’ll sit down, talk about everything that happened and pray together.
When 15-year-old Amiah Barrera walked up to her grandfather, she clung to him. They both had tears in their eyes.
“Don’t let go,” she told him.
“Just breathe, your granddad’s here,” David Barrera said.
After they parted and Amiah Barrera, her father, mother and three little brothers started walking away, David Berrera said he’s glad it wasn’t worse.
“I’m glad this wasn’t another Uvalde.”
Bowie High has 2,250 students and several hundred staff members, according to the district.
Before students were allowed leave the campus, each classroom was cleared one-by-one by Arlington police officers, the district said. Students and staff were transported at intervals on 50 buses from the school to the athletics complex.
WHEN WILL BOWIE HIGH REOPEN?
Arlington ISD has canceled classes at Bowie High School for Thursday and Friday. Classes will resume on Monday.
“When students return to class, they will have the full support of our counseling team for as long as needed,” the Arlington school district said.
Counselors will also be available for students and staff at Bowie on Friday from 9 a.m. until noon.
The school will be open Friday morning from 9 to 10:30 a.m. so students can retrieve essential items left on campus.