Arlington, Texas – Mothers of gun violence victims are rallying behind students at Bowie High School to encourage them to speak out following the tragic shooting that claimed the life of an 18-year-old on campus. The school remained closed on Thursday as authorities investigated the incident, leading to classes being canceled until Monday.
The turmoil unfolded on Wednesday afternoon when Bowie High School was placed on lockdown after the fatal shooting of Etavion Barnes near a portable classroom building. The suspect, identified as 17-year-old Julian Howard, was apprehended on campus shortly after the shooting and is now facing charges of murder and possession of a controlled substance. However, no weapon has been recovered thus far.
The devastating loss of another student to gun violence prompted mothers from Mothers of Murdered Angels, a nonprofit organization, to stand in solidarity outside the school. For these mothers who have also endured the pain of losing loved ones to gun violence, the tragedy hits close to home.
Founder of the nonprofit, Hamilton, who has experienced the loss of her daughter in 2018 and grandson in 2020, emphasized the importance of students speaking up if they witness any concerning behavior. She urged a collective effort in being vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity to prevent further tragedies from occurring.
Arlington police are still probing the shooting, as Howard has not cooperated with detectives, leaving many questions unanswered about the circumstances leading up to the incident. Despite the lack of information from the suspect, the community is coming together to support one another and advocate for a safer environment for all students.