PLANO -- At Plano West High School on Friday, students said you could hear a pin drop.
"It was just silent. It didn't feel right," said Jens Swieter, a junior.
In the hallways, students were sharing news about the death of Josiah Utu, a respected and well-liked football player and friend to many, who was taken in the worst possible way.
"Everybody was crying," said Logan Davis, who played on the basketball team with Josiah freshman and sophomore years.
The junior was a star athlete who loved sports, food, and taking photos and videos with friends. He was at home last night with his older brother, McCann ,and his mom, Stacy Fawcett, a member of the News 8 family who contributed regularly to Saturday morning broadcasts as a food expert.
Police say that just after midnight, McCann went on a rampage, using kitchen knives to stab his mother and brother before stabbing himself.
Stacy and Josiah died at the scene, and McCann later died at a hospital.
Friends of the family told News 8 Friday that McCann, who graduated from Plano West last year, suffered concussions while playing basketball that drastically changed his personality.
Some of Josiah's best friends said that while the younger brother had idolized McCann growing up, he had mentioned some of his recent troubles — though there was never any mention of violence.
"'He's just not the same anymore,' that's what [Josiah] would always tell me, ever since he had a head injury," said Doak Kuhne, a close friend who had known Josiah since grade school. "The McCann he looked up to was not the McCann who did what he did."
"Josiah loved his mom," Kuhne said, "and what I think happened, if anything Josiah was standing up for her."
Classmates said they will deeply miss a friend who made school days a little brighter, and who was always smiling.
"We actually called him 'Smiley' for a little while in 8th grade," said Matthew Picco, a Plano West junior who played with Josiah on the football team. "He was such a happy, genuine person. I honestly don't know anyone that can compare to him."
Friday, students tweeted about their classmate with the hashtag #RIPJosiah. His teammates posted images of his football locker and said they'll be playing for him next season.
"Our school's so big, and everybody knew him. Everybody liked him," said Swieter, who played on the football team with Josiah last school year. "I don't know one person that didn't like him."
"He didn't just only impact his friends. He impacted a whole community at Plano West," Swieter added. "He was such a great person, and I think we need to remember that. I always will."