DALLAS – Electra Kitchin helped open Arlington Bowie High School when it opened in 1991.
She taught before moving into a counseling position at the school.
She is also a member of Saint Andrews United Methodist Church, where its members opened their sanctuary Friday to help those associated with the neighborhood school – Bowie High School – deal with tragedy with a community prayer service.
She spoke on behalf of one of her three children who graduated from Bowie High School.
“I was crushed because I retired from the district, so I know just from the educator’s side, you know, you don’t ever want to lose a student,” Kitchin said. “It’s traumatizing to everyone from the students to the administrators, teachers, just everyone is affected. The whole school, the community.”
Wednesday’s shooting outside of the school was devastating. Etavion Barnes, 18, was fatally shot, Arlington police said. The motive behind the deadly encounter remains speculatory.