Parents of gun violence victims encourage students to speak up following Bowie High School murder

Mothers who have tragically lost children to gun violence are urging students at Bowie High School to come forward with any information following the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Etavion Barnes on campus.

In response to the incident, Arlington ISD canceled classes at Bowie High School on Thursday, with plans to resume on Monday, while police continued their investigation.

The shooting occurred on Wednesday afternoon, prompting a lockdown at Bowie High School around 2:50 p.m. as Barnes was shot outside near a portable classroom building.

Authorities received a description of the suspected shooter, leading to the apprehension of a person matching that description approximately 20 minutes later, still on campus near the baseball field. Identified as 17-year-old Julian Howard, the individual is now in custody, facing charges of murder and possession of a controlled substance. However, no weapon has been recovered.

Mothers who have endured similar tragedies expressed solidarity with the grieving family outside the school.

“The loss of another young life to gun violence is devastating,” remarked the founder of Mothers of Murdered Angels, a nonprofit organization. “That’s why I’m here, alongside other mothers and supporters, walking the sidewalk.”

Hamilton, who established the nonprofit after losing her daughter in 2018 and her grandson in 2020, emphasized the profound sense of loss experienced by families affected by gun violence.

Encouraging students to speak up, Hamilton underscored the importance of reporting any concerning behavior or incidents. “If you see something, say something,” she urged. “Even if you’re not directly involved, speaking up could save a life. We need to collaborate because no single person or organization can address this issue alone.”

Arlington police noted that Howard is not cooperating with detectives, leaving unanswered questions about the circumstances leading up to the shooting.