Lewisville residents were alerted on Wednesday that a stray bullet was found on the tennis courts of Barksdale Middle School, part of the Northwest Independent School District (ISD). The discovery, reported by the Cross Timbers Gazette, marks the third bullet recovered on a Northwest ISD campus since a temporary restraining order was issued against the nearby Quail Creek Gun Range.
Northwest ISD Superintendent Mark Foust sent a letter to families explaining that, as a precaution, all outdoor activities at the rear of the school will be temporarily relocated. Buses will also drop students off on the west side of the building while the district evaluates further adjustments to other outdoor programs.
Foust emphasized the district’s ongoing efforts to protect students, stating, “Thank you in advance for your patience as we make these adjustments. We will continue to update you with additional information if and when new details are available.” He reiterated that the restraining order remains in effect against the use of firearms at Quail Creek Gun Range that could fire bullets beyond the range’s property line.
After the bullet was found, the Northwest ISD Safety & Security Department notified the Northlake Police Department, and officials conducted a sweep of the area with a metal detector. The district is also reviewing security footage for additional clues.
The bullet incident follows two earlier findings on the Barksdale campus: a bullet struck the school’s exterior during construction in May, and another lodged in the football stadium’s press box in July. While district officials suspect the bullets originated from the nearby gun range, investigators have not been able to confirm the source.
In response to the recurring incidents, Northwest ISD announced plans to install impact‑resistant window film on all windows on the south side of Barksdale Middle School, the side that faces the gun range. The district is also reaching out to local property owners to determine whether illegal hunting activity might be contributing to the problem.
Despite the safety concerns, the district clarified that it is not seeking to shut down Quail Creek Gun Range. Instead, it is exploring “all legal options” to ensure long‑term safety for the community.
What’s next: Northwest ISD said it will continue to provide updates to families as it implements additional safety measures and pursues legal avenues to address the bullet issue.
Sources: crosstimbersgazette.com
