Portage, IN — A tragic incident unfolded in northwest Indiana late Friday evening when a school administrator was killed in what authorities have determined to be a murder-suicide, which also left another person critically injured. Police are continuing to investigate the motives behind this devastating event that rocked a local family.
Responding to a 911 call placed around 7:41 p.m., Portage police were alerted to a domestic disturbance involving an intoxicated individual causing havoc at a residence on Monument Avenue. The caller, distressed, indicated that her father was throwing items around their home. Shortly after the call, operators overheard a man threatening that everyone was going to die, followed by the sound of gunfire.
Upon arrival, law enforcement officers reported hearing continued gunshots and collaborated with multiple agencies to secure the scene. Inside, they discovered three individuals with gunshot wounds. Among them was Brandy Manville, 46, an administrative assistant at Portage High School, who was found deceased.
Her husband, Charles Manville, 45, was also found deceased from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, leaving authorities to piece together the lead-up to these tragic events.
A third victim, a 21-year-old woman, was critically wounded during the incident. She was promptly airlifted to a nearby trauma center, where, as of Saturday, she was reported to be in stable but serious condition. The authorities have chosen not to release her name pending her consent, highlighting respect for her privacy during her recovery.
Local law enforcement emphasized that this horrific event seems to be an isolated incident with no further threat to the public. However, the community remains shaken as investigators continue to delve into the circumstances that led to the violence.
As news of the tragedy spread, expressions of sympathy and support have poured in from across the community. Portage police shared their condolences publicly, “We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the victims of this shocking crime,” adding prayers for the swift recovery of the surviving victim.
In response to the event, Portage High School, where Brandy Manville served and shaped young minds, announced that counseling services will be made available to both students and staff starting Monday morning. This provision aims to support the school community as they deal with the loss of a beloved staff member and the shock of the incident.
The broader Portage community, while relieved there is no further threat, continues to grapple with the aftermath of the violence that interrupted the quiet of an otherwise ordinary Friday evening. As families, friends, and neighbors seek to comfort one another, the resilience of the community will undoubtedly be tested in the days to come.