Police in Arlington and Kennedale are searching for at least one person who gunned down an 18-year-old high school student Monday afternoon.[[288402951,L]]
According to witness reports, multiple people fired several gunshots on the 6300 block of Treepoint Drive just after 4 p.m.
Killed in the gunfire was Carl Wilson, an 18-year-old senior at Martin High School who is the father to a young child, the school confirmed Tuesday.
"In our football program they consider Carl a success story. Carl has had some difficulties to overcome in his personal life but he's been a dedicated football player, never missed a single practice. Was a great player on the field," said Martin High School Principal Marlene Roddy. "He had a small child, and I know from the coaching staff that his little boy would come up to him during practice.
Investigators said Monday the shooter(s) and victim attended high school together in Arlington and that the shooting may have been the result of an incident at school. Police have said little else in the investigation and have not confirmed the names of any suspects or how many people they believe are involved in Wilson's slaying.
"Investigators have several leads from witnesses that are promising and are continuing with their interviews [Tuesday]," Kennedale Police Department Chief Tommy Williams said in an email.
"On the fact police say the deadly shooting may have been motivated by an argument earlier in the day at school: That aspect is difficult," said Roddy. "It's a tough day, it's always difficult when we lose a student in any capacity. And so, it's very upsetting, unsettling, and in this particular circumstance it's really difficult."
Tuesday morning Roddy addressed Lewis' death during the morning announcements, saying:
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"Students and staff, I am extremely sad to tell you today that we lost one of your classmates and our students yesterday, Carl Wilson. Carl Wilson was a senior at Martin High School and was a member of the Martin football team. Carl was a good, kind person who had dreams to continue playing football in college. Carl's life was cut short in a shooting that occurred in Kennedale yesterday afternoon after school. This senseless tragedy is under investigation by the police. Please observe the next few moments in silence as we remember Carl Wilson
[silence]
Please also keep Carl's family and friends in your thoughts and prayers as they work through this most difficult time. Counselors on campus will work with any student in the library who needs support throughout the next few days. Thank you."
School officials said they aren't sure if Martin students were involved in Wilson's slaying but that they are considering the possibility.
Police and school officials are concerned about rumors, gossip, fighting and retaliation and have assigned four additional police officers to work on campus Tuesday with the school resource officer.
"The police, APD, has assigned extra officers to our campus, and that's to keep us safe. We don't know how students will react or behave today. We know that there's a lot of rumors out in the community right now. Students are angry, they're very hurt, and sometimes the reaction is they want to find out what happened and what they can do about it. And it's our role to make them understand to stay calm and not overreact," Roddy said Tuesday morning.
The school also has a handful of additional grief counselors on hand for students or faculty who want to talk.
A candlelight vigil is expected to be held at Martin High School Tuesday night at 5:30 p.m. in the west parking lot.
Kennedale Police Department officials asked that anyone with information about this incident contact them at 817-985-2160, Ext. 2229.
NBC 5's Jeff Smith and Ben Russell contributed to this report.
