Students at two North Texas high schools are set to return to their classrooms on Monday after the institutions were rocked by separate shootings last week. Both Bowie High School in Arlington and Roosevelt High School in Dallas had to cancel classes as a response to these violent incidents.
For Bowie High, classes were halted on Thursday and Friday after a student, identified as 17-year-old Julian Howard, allegedly shot to quickly resolve whatever had been between him and 18-year-old Etavion Barnes, resulting in Barnes' death on campus. “Howard is now charged with murder. He remains in jail on a $750,000 bond,” reported FOX 4 News. The motive behind the shooting remains a mystery.
Meanwhile, Roosevelt High School was closed on Friday due to a "credible threat" following a drive-by shooting that injured two students. "The students were being driven home from football practice by a coach at the time," as per the same FOX 4 News report. The suspect in this case has not been apprehended, and any details about them or their vehicle are yet to be disclosed.
Arlington and Dallas ISD are heightening security measures in the wake of these tragic events. This move follows an earlier incident wherein a student managed to bring a gun through a working metal detector and shot another student in the leg at Wilmer Hutchins High School.
Besides increased security, the districts are also bolstering their mental health resources. Arlington ISD outlined that there will be extra security at Bowie, in addition to counselors for those in need, according to WFAA. Dallas ISD is enhancing school arrival procedures and retraining its staff on metal detector checks and backpack searches. Garland ISD, although not directly affected, is taking preemptive measures as well, conducting random searches and adding safety and conflict resolution lessons to its curriculum.
The return to school comes as the academic year nears its close, with district schools scheduled to let out between May 23 and May 24. The community holds its breath, hoping that the implemented changes will restore a sense of security and normalcy to the affected schools. As students reclaim their halls of learning, the districts remain vigilant, determined to prevent a repeat of the recent turmoil.
