A student was stabbed to death at Manor High School, authorities said

(This story has been updated to add new information and remove an irrelevant photo.)

A Manor High School student died Tuesday afternoon after being stabbed multiple times in the chest by a classmate.

The Manor Police Department identified the victim as 18-year-old Darrin Loving and said in a statement that his death occurred after emergency responders performed life-saving medical procedures. The teen was pronounced dead at 1:12 p.m., according to an Austin-Travis County EMS spokesperson who was called to the scene at 12:47 p.m.

Manor police arrested Mac Brown Mbah Mbanwei, also 18, in connection with the stabbing and charged him with murder. He is being held in the Travis County Jail and had not been granted bail as of 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The police department said it was still actively investigating but described the incident as an isolated situation with no threat to students or the public.

The Manor school district announced it would cancel classes at the high school on Wednesday and Thursday to give students time to grieve, but said the campus would remain open with counselors who could talk to students.

“We understand that this situation raises concerns and we will also review security on campuses,” Superintendent Robert Sormani said. “Our priority is to be there for all students and staff as we navigate this difficult time together.”

The district canceled classes Wednesday and Thursday not only at Manor High School, where the stabbing occurred, but also at two nearby campuses that serve high school students: Manor Early College High School, located at 14832 FM 973, and Manor High School. 12700 Gregg Mansion Rd. (There are five different campuses in the Manor area serving high school-aged students.)

Any student who wishes to speak with a counselor may do so Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Manor Early College High School; The district said it was from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at Manor High School. Advisors will also be present when classes resume.

Manor Police Chief Ryan Phipps told the American Statesman that the stabbing occurred in a classroom and was witnessed by several students interviewed as part of the investigation. But Phipp’s assistant, Deputy Police Chief Denver Collins, told the American Statesman Tuesday evening that the fatal incident occurred in a common area of the school.

Another law enforcement official told the American Statesman that the attacker used a “large knife” and that investigators were working to determine what triggered the violence. The official asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

Fatal stabbings of students on school campuses are rare. The only time a student was killed on an Austin school district campus was in 2003. Ortralla Mosley, a 15-year-old Austin student, was stabbed to death in the upstairs hallway of Reagan High School.now known as Northeast Early College High School.

Manor High School, which educates 11th and 12th graders, closed early Tuesday and students will be picked up from the front of campus, according to a message the district sent at 1:26 p.m. Buses also take students home early, Manor said. district spokeswoman Maritza Gallaga. Students whose parents couldn’t pick them up right away were being held on campus, he said.

Shortly before 4 p.m. Tuesday, police were directing traffic in the parking lot next to the school stadium, where a long line of cars waited to pick up students. A few parents who came to pick up their children declined to comment.

Tina Salinas, a mother whose son attends middle school in Manor, said she was very concerned about the stabbing. “It’s a little concerning to hear that a kid can bring a knife to school,” he told the American-Statesman during an interview at a restaurant near the high school. Salinas said he and his son were praying for the victim and the suspect. “We just prayed for peace in our schools,” he said.

This is an evolving story. Check back for more details.

This story has been updated to add a video.

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