New Killeen Elementary School to be Named after Patricia Carney

The Killeen ISD School Board has announced the name of a new elementary school on Azura Drive. The new campus will be named in honor Patricia “Pat” Brann Kemp Carney.

Our news partners at KWTX report that Pat was an educator in Killeen for 27 years, and was one of the 23 victims that died in the 1991 Luby's shooting rampage.

Oct. 16 marks the 29th anniversary of one of the deadliest shootings in American history. 23 people were fatally wounded when Georges Hennard drove his Ford Ranger through the front window of Luby's in Killeen during the lunch hour and opened fire with two semi-automatic handguns.

Hennard shot 50 people during the rampage, killing 23, including Pat Carney. A Killeen police office shot Hennard, who then turned the gun on himself and committed suicide.

Pat Carney dedicated nearly three decades of her life to students in the Killeen School District. She taught at Peebles and East Ward elementary schools before serving as the assistant principal and then principle of east Ward Elementary.

From a KISD press release:

“Staying true to per passion, Carney went on to become the elementary curriculum director for the district where she planned to strengthen the delivery of instruction for all students. Generations will come to know Pat Carney as her name will now be passed on to leave a legacy of passion for education, growth and kindness. ”

Pat Carney Elementary is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2021.