AUSTIN, Texas — A judge has ordered a mental health evaluation to determine if an 18-year-old charged with murder can stand trial.
Mac Brown Mbah Mbanwei allegedly stabbed 18-year-old Darrin Loving to death with a kitchen knife at Manor Senior High School restroom.
After the stabbing, Manor ISD officials canceled classes at the district's main high school campuses for the week. Details about the attack itself, or how it could have been prevented, are still unknown, but Manor ISD Superintendent Dr. Robert Sormani said he's thankful for the staff and police response.
"We have two officers that did their job. I'm glad they were there," Sormani said. "I'm glad that we were able to interact as fast as they did."
Experts say mental competency exams are quite common in cases like Mbanwei's. He's due in court on Nov. 18.
Did Manor Senior High School have enough officers?
Manor ISD approved this year's budget with money set aside to have armed guards at every campus, which is required under Texas law. Loving's death will now play a major role in how the school upgrades security.
"The number of officers stationed on that campus is the right number for that size high school," Sormani said. "Is there enough? That's a relative question right now. If [Texas] would be willing to provide us more funding ... We will hire more officers and we will continue to upgrade security."
Sormani couldn't answer if Mbanwei had a history of behavioral or disciplinary issues due to federal privacy law. However, experts say if Mbanwei had sparked concern, that's when school resources officers should have been alerted.
"It's a responsibility that school staff and everybody working together ... to make sure that school becomes a safe place again," said Mac Hardy with the National Association of School Resource Officers. "These situations occur every day where problems are solved and incidents are averted because of proactive school resource officers, counselors, and teachers all working together."
Voters within Manor ISD can weigh in on a voter-approved tax rate election, which Sormani said could increase the district's revenue and pay for more security and mental health support on campuses. In the meantime, students should expect to see more officers on campus when classes resume.
Remembering Darrin Loving
Manor ISD has been providing free breakfast and lunch for students after canceling classes at Manor Senior High School and Manor Early College High School.
The district will gather at the Manor Athletics Complex on Friday at 6:30 p.m. to honor Loving's life with a vigil. Manor ISD has asked the community to dress in Western attire for the vigil.