18-year-old charged with murder after stabbing student at Texas high school: police

A Texas high school student died Tuesday after being stabbed by a classmate who is now in custody, according to school officials.

The stabbing occurred at Manor Senior High School in Manor, Texas, about 25 miles from Austin, according to a statement provided to USA TODAY by a spokesman for the Manor Independent School District.

“I am writing to inform you about an incident that occurred today between two students on our campus,” the statement read. “This afternoon, a student was stabbed on campus by another student during an altercation. The stabbing suspect is in police custody.”

In a separate statement obtained by USA TODAY, Manor ISD Superintendent Robert Sormani confirmed the student’s death.

“It is with deep sadness that the Board of Trustees and I share the heartbreaking news that the student involved in today’s tragic stabbing at Manor High School has died,” the statement read. “This loss is devastating to our entire community and our hearts go out to their family, friends and everyone who knew him. We know that words cannot ease the pain and we all mourn together.”

USA TODAY contacted Manor police on Tuesday but has not received a response.

An 18-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder

After the fight, the unidentified 18-year-old was taken to the Travis County Jail on murder charges, a law enforcement official said. Austin, American statesmanpart of the USA TODAY network. The official, who did not want to be identified, also said the alleged attacker used a “large knife” during the incident.

It’s unclear what led to the violence, but Manor Police Chief Ryan Phipps said the stabbing occurred in a classroom and other students who witnessed the incident are being questioned. The principal said he didn’t know if classes were taking place.

Austin-Travis County EMS was called to the school at 12:47 a.m. Tuesday, Capt. Christa Stedman said, adding that the student was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:12 p.m. Neither police nor the district released the name of the dead student.

A statement from Manor ISD said the high school closed early on Tuesday. The statement says classes are also canceled at Manor Senior High School and Manor Early College High School on Wednesday.

“We want to provide our students and staff with the necessary time to process this loss and support each other,” Sormani said in a statement. “We understand this situation is a concern and we will also be reviewing security on campuses. Our priority is to be present for all students and staff as we navigate this difficult time together.”

Contributors: Claire Osborn and Tony Plohetski/Austin American-Statesman.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Police: Manor, Texas student charged with stabbing fellow student