April 25 (UPI) — Arlington, Texas, police said Thursday that a high school student was shot to death Wednesday outside Bowie High School. The suspected shooter was arrested nearby and taken into custody without incident.
Arlington Police Chief Al Jones said 18-year-old Etavion Barnes was found unresponsive outside portable buildings on the high school campus.
According to Arlington Jail records, suspect Julian Howard, 17, was charged with murder. Police said it appears Barnes was targeted.
“Our hearts are with the entire Bowie High School community tonight,” Jones said in a statement. “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.”
According to police, detectives still are working to determine a motive but said it appeared the two knew each other. Authorities have not yet recovered a weapon in the killing.
Jones said officer immediately tried life-saving measures on Barnes, but the student was pronounced dead.
The school was placed on lockdown for three hours while police looked for the shooter.
Arlington Schools Superintendent Dr. Matt Smith said he was at a loss for words.
“Schools are supposed to be a place of learning and growth and this afternoon, it was interrupted by senseless violence,” he said.
