An 18-year-old student was charged with murder following a fatal stabbing incident at Manor Senior High School on Tuesday morning, as CBS Austin reports. The victim, identified as Darrin Loving, was pronounced dead at the school located at 14832 FM 873 after suffering multiple stab wounds to the chest.
The suspect, Mac Brown Mbah Mbanwei, also 18, was arrested by Manor Police and is currently being held at Travis County Jail with no bond assignment. Manor ISD Superintendent Dr. Robert Sormani released a statement in response to the tragedy, "It is with profound sadness that myself and the Board of Trustees share the heartbreaking news that the student involved in today’s tragic stabbing at Manor Senior High School has passed away." Austin-Travis County EMS encountered the critically wounded teenager at approximately 12:47 p.m., extensive resuscitation efforts, proved futile as Loving was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the Austin American-Statesman, the incident has led to a temporary suspension of classes at Manor Senior High School and Manor Early College High School to facilitate the process of mourning and for support services to be available to students and staff. Manor police are still engaging with witnesses and investigation is ongoing, which could potentially lead to additional charges against Mbanwei.
Reactions from the school community were of shock and disbelief, with a Manor Senior student, Jaylen Jackson, telling CBS Austin, "This was a surreal experience and we never expected any of this to happen." Sierra Smith, Loving's sister, noted that her brother was a special needs, nearly non-verbal student. Among the further responses was a statement by State Rep. Sheryl Cole, expressing heartache over the tragedy in a message shared on social media.
The school administration has activated counseling resources for the community, making them available on the secondary campuses, and Dr. Sormani has stated that campus security will be reviewed. As the investigation unfolds, Manor ISD endeavors to maintain a supportive and safe environment for the students in the wake of this harrowing episode.
