Student killed in shooting at James Bowie High School in Arlington, suspect in custody

The Arlington Police Department is investigating a deadly shooting that occurred outside the Bowie High School campus.

On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at approximately 2:50 p.m., the department received reports of shots fired near a portable building on campus. School Resource Officers responded to the scene immediately and located an 18-year-old male student lying unresponsive on the ground. The officers performed life-saving measures on the young man until paramedics arrived.

He was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased from his injuries.

Bowie High School was immediately placed on lockdown.

Responding officers helped secure the area around the school and began searching for the suspected shooter. They located him nearby and he was taken into custody without incident.

The department will release his name and booking photo once he has been booked into the Arlington City Jail. He will be charged with one count of Murder.

Detectives are still working to determine a motive, but it appears the suspect and victim knew each other.

Once the suspect was taken into custody and the scene was fully secured, the department began working with Arlington ISD to lift the lockdown and move all students and staff inside Bowie High School to an off-site reunification center where they could be released to their families.

“Our hearts are with the entire Bowie High School community tonight,“ said Chief of Police Al Jones. “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.”

The investigation remains ongoing.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office will identify the deceased.

Original Report:

Bowie High School in Arlington is currently under lockdown on Wednesday afternoon as authorities respond to reports of a shooting outside the premises.

The school issued notifications on social media, confirming the lockdown and informing that students would not be released at the usual time.

All individuals within the school are reported to be safe.

At least one person is in custody.

Arlington Police are present at the school, conducting an investigation into an incident outside.

Texas Sky Ranger footage showed multiple officers examining an area adjacent to a portable building on the south side of the campus, along Highbank Drive.

Highbank Drive, situated on the south side of the campus and running west to east, has been closed off to traffic.

One individual has sustained injuries and has been transported to a nearby hospital.

However, details regarding the person’s identity, age, and the extent of their injuries have not yet been confirmed.

The Arlington ISD is setting up a reunification site for Bowie High School students and families at the Arlington ISD Athletics Center at 1001 E. Division, 76011. All Bowie students inside the school will be bused to the reunification center. APD has not released students from Bowie. We will let you know as soon as we have a time.

Parents and guardians need to check in at the natatorium, which is located next to the Athletics Center. Bring your identification. Please enter the Athletics Center from the entrance located off Division Street.

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