MANOR, Texas (KXAN) -- Students in Manor are returning to class Tuesday for the first time since a fatal stabbing that left one student dead and another facing a first-degree murder charge.
Ahead of the return, Manor Independent School District leaders communicated with parents and students that the district was "implementing enhanced measures to create a safe, supportive, and caring environment for all students," according to a post online.
Those measures include an increased number of administrators and law enforcement on campus, new procedures to prevent congregating in restrooms, and new check-ins with metal-detecting wands and searches of bags and jackets.
"We are ready for the children. We love those kids and we are going to do everything we need to take care of them," Dr. Robert Sormani, Manor ISD Superintendent, said.
Police say 18-year-old Mac Brown Mbanwei fatally stabbed his classmate, 18-year-old Darrin Loving in an altercation that began in a restroom on Oct. 29. School was canceled the remainder of the week to allow time to mourn Loving's death.
KXAN asked Superintendent Sormani if there was any procedure in place to monitor bathrooms at the time of the stabbing. Sormani said it was something the district will be reviewing in the future. Currently, the district is focused on getting kids back to school safely, he said.
KXAN also asked the superintendent if Mbanwei had a history of violence within the school district, but Sormani said that is something he is not allowed to comment on because of private student records.
The school district is sending out a survey to the community to ask them what safety and security looks like to them, and what they would like to see at their schools.
There were two designated District Police Officers and one Safety Officer on campus at the time of the stabbing, according to the district.
The school resource officer told investigators before discovering Loving, he was patrolling during one of the school’s lunch periods and overheard students yelling, “Mac Brown,” later identified as Mac Brown Mbanwei, had a knife.
The officer told investigators he glanced toward the bathrooms and found Mbanwei’s hands were in his pockets. According to court records, the officer attempted to remove Mbanwei’s hands by force and removed a kitchen knife in his hand.
The resource officer found Loving bleeding out with multiple stab wounds and administered aid to him, but Loving was pronounced dead after EMS arrived. Manor ISD Police Chief Clarence Yarbrough said he was very proud of his team's response on the tragic day.
"My officer did everything he could possibly do in that moment to preserve life, and he prevented any further injury to any other students or any other staff members by his quick response," Chief Yarbrough said.
There were no metal detectors in place at the time of the stabbing. Dr. Sormani said it was something the school district did not deem necessary to have.
The current metal-detecting wands being used at the school now are not a permanent fixture. The superintendent said it is something the district will have to discuss moving forward if they will become permanent.
The survey being sent out to families this week also asks about metal detectors, Sormani said.
