Over $300K Raised in Defense of Teen Accused of Track Meet Stabbing: What to Know About Karmelo Anthony and Victim Austin Metcalf

What was meant to be a fun and exciting track and field event turned into tragedy when one teenager lost his life at the hands of a peer. Both the victim's and the suspect's families have since created fundraisers seeking financial assistance.

On April 2, 2025, Frisco Police and Fire responded to an incident at a track meet in the 6900 block of Stadium Lane. A tragic altercation between two students, Karmelo Anthony and Austin Metcalf, has since led to a major fundraiser for the victim.

What Went Wrong That Fateful Day

According to the arrest report, minutes before the incident, Anthony was allegedly sitting under another team's pop-up tent as rain fell. He was told to move, and that's when he and Austin, both students from different high schools, began fighting.

A witness told the police that Anthony unzipped his bag, reached in, and then warned Austin, "Touch me and see what happens." The report revealed that shortly afterward, "Austin grabbed Anthony to tell him to move and Anthony pulled out ... a black knife and stabbed Austin once in the chest."

A school resource officer from nearby Staley Middle School was first on the scene at Kuykendall Stadium. Anthony allegedly explained his actions to an officer, saying, "I was protecting myself," and, "He put his hands on me."

The suspect reportedly asked an officer on the scene if the incident could be considered self-defense. He also questioned whether the victim was going to be okay. Since then, Austin's father has recalled his son's horrific final moments.

What Were Austin's Final Moments Like

Frisco Police and Fire revealed that the incident occurred at approximately 10:00 a.m. Anthony stabbed Austin, both 17 and from Frisco, during a University Interscholastic League (UIL) 11-5A championship track and field event.

Lifesaving measures, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the administration of blood, were administered by police and fire personnel, but the victim died. The Frisco Independent School District (ISD) revealed that five certified athletic trainers on-site responded to the stabbing at the stadium.

Now, only memories and photos hanging at Austin's home remain to remind his father, Jeff Metcalf, of one of his twin sons. The parent shared that he also found comfort in a dream, revealing, "He came to me and said, 'It's OK.'"

Jeff said, "God gives me comfort and if it wasn't for my faith I wouldn't be here." Along with his father, Hunter, Austin's twin brother, had the horrific task of seeing his sibling stabbed in the chest and heart at the stadium, just a mile away.

Speaking to a news station, the boys' father said, "My other son, who was there, I was holding his hands on the hole trying to save his life." Jeff recalled, "He told me, I looked at him, his eyes — he was gone, he wasn't breathing."

In a different interview, he said, "They were twins, identical twins, and his brother was holding on to him, trying to make it stop bleeding, and he died in his brother's arms. I rushed up there and I saw him on the gurney and I could tell -- they said he wasn't breathing."

Jeff recalled feeling deeply concerned when he saw blood and the wound. Austin was rushed to the hospital, with his father confessing, "And we prayed, and it's God's plan, I don't understand it, but they weren't able to save him. This is murder."

Hunter also emotionally shared his difficult recollection, saying, "I tried to whip around as fast as I could. I looked at my brother and I'm not going to talk about the rest. I tried to help him." He held Austin until first responders removed him when they began attempting resuscitation.

Speaking to the press, Austin's mother, Meghan Metcalf, revealed that she received a call from a screaming Hunter who said his brother had been stabbed. Meghan was at work in Grapevine at the time and drove straight to the hospital.

She recalled seeing her son hooked up to many medical machines, but it didn't take long before they announced his death. Austin's mother believed her son's death was senseless, and she couldn't comprehend how one boy's anger resulted in the loss of her child.

The emotional parent recalled what an amazing kid Austin was and how he dreamed of playing college football. All he did was work out at the gym, act as a leader on his football team, and pursue ambitions uncommon in children.

Meghan remembered her son as "such a good spirit" who was loved by many of his peers. She cried while noting how Hunter has "lost his best friend." The parent shared her worry about Hunter, who now has to face the world alone.

Joining his mother for the interview, Hunter cried while praising his brother as a "good kid," and called the stabbing a "mistake." He felt his brother didn't "deserve it," saying no one's family does.

The teenager thanked the community and everyone who has been comforting him and his family through this difficult time. He said he believes his family will get through it. Confirming his mother's fears, Hunter admitted how close he was to Austin.

He confessed that they did everything together, whether it was washing dishes, doing yard work, playing sports, and more. Hunter described him and his late brother as "basically one person," with Austin being born four minutes ahead.

The surviving twin noted that Austin had played the big brother role and always took his side, even when he was wrong. The late athlete was described as a peacemaker among their friends, able to calm Hunter down easily.

Addressing Anthony part in the matter, Meghan revealed they don't think about him, while Hunter confessed he hadn't met him and didn't know him. Austin's mother explained that they don't want to give the suspect "recognition or any care."

What his family wished for the late footballer to know was how much they love him. Hunter said he wanted to tell his brother that he wished to be like him, especially admiring how he communicated and built great bonds with people.

Meghan recalled watching movies with her twins while Austin lay on her lap as she scratched his back. She shared how he told her things that most teenagers wouldn't tell their mothers. The parent revealed they were close and vowed to keep Austin in their hearts, lives, and memories forever.

Hundreds of people gathered at a Frisco church on the same night of his death to remember Austin, a standout player on Memorial High's football team. The late victim's father also raised questions about the incident, as Anthony faces charges for the crime.

A Family Left with Questions While the Suspect Sits in Jail

Still deep in mourning, Jeff wondered in hindsight, "If there's a precedent or some precursor that maybe this could've been prevented, I don't know. I am concerned with the lack of security. How does someone bring a knife to a track meet?"

A school security expert and former Dallas ISD Chief of Police, Craig Miller, explained the security systems at these schools. He said, "Frisco ISD doesn't use metal detectors in a school, so it would be unusual for them to have them in an athletic event of this nature."

Authorities haven't revealed what led to the stabbing, but Jeff shared some insight. He said the altercation started when his sons and members of the Memorial High track team questioned Anthony about standing near them instead of his own school's team.

Jeff explained, "Each high school had their own section to sit and they went to set up the Memorial tent, they heard this individual behind them speaking and they turned around and said, 'Who are you,' and he said, 'I'm mellow,' And he had a Centennial tracksuit on they said, 'You're in the wrong spot, you need to go sit with your team,' and then it escalated."

The school district confirmed, "Karmelo Anthony was at the meet as a track athlete and participant." Anthony, a student-athlete at Centennial High School, was taken into custody at the Collin County Jail. He was charged with a first-degree murder felony and his bond was set at $1,000,000.

Philip Linder, a North Texas criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor, shared some outlooks on the case. He noted, "As a 17-year-old, he'll be tried as an adult. My assumption is, there are plenty of witnesses."

Linder added, "If there is no evidence of the young man who died having a deadly weapon, or threatening to do serious harm to this kid, then he has no business using a knife, and so there will be no self-defense claim that he could really urge."

A police officer revealed that Anthony admitted to stabbing Austin, claiming self-defense. When an officer referred to him as the "alleged suspect," he reportedly responded, "I'm not alleged, I did it." If convicted of murder, he faces between five and 99 years in prison.

The Aftermath for Anthony's Family

Since the incident, Anthony's family has faced threats and harassment. Dominique Alexander, the founder of the Next Generation Action Network (NGAN), revealed that the family's home address was exposed online.

This exposure led to graphic and racist threats from trolls. Alexander explained the harassment's impact on the suspect's family, saying, "The disinformation that is going online is hurting this case and it has to stop. As we know right now, Austin Metcalf and Karmelo Anthony did not know each other."

He continued, "Karmelo Anthony has a right to a fair trial, unbiased and removed of racial hate and bigotry." The Frisco Police Department (FPD) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are investigating fake social media posts posing as Chief David Shilson since the fatal stabbing.

In a social media statement released days after the incident, the FPD said, "Frisco PD is aware of a fake account on social media purporting to belong to Chief David Shilson. The post is NOT from an official source and may contain information that is false or misleading."

It urged people to only rely on its verified social media accounts, noting, "Criminal charges will be pursued." On April 8, 2025, Alexander met with FPD officials at NGAN headquarters. He expressed concern over the "thoroughness and fairness" of the investigation.

The meeting lasted about an hour, during which Alexander also discussed the dangerous spread of false narratives on social media. Since Austin's death, two separate fundraisers have been created for him and Anthony.

Fundraising for Both Teens

Using the GiveSendGo platform, Anthony's family created a fundraiser with a goal of $350,000. So far, they have raised $308,471. In a statement on the account, the suspect's family said, "The narrative being spread is false, unjust, and harmful."

They continued, "As a family of faith, we are deeply grateful for all of your support during this trying period. Your prayers and assistance mean more to us now more than ever." Meanwhile, Jeff created a GoFundMe account on the same day he lost Austin, hoping to raise $330,000.

He managed to raise $316,471 so far. His statement on the account noted how Austin, a "bright young man with a great future ahead of him," couldn't be saved that day. The late teenager was, again, described as a "leader of men," with a smile that could light up a room.

Austin had an unbelievable passion for football and was voted team Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the past season. He had a 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) and looked forward to taking his game to the next level.

Jeff continued, "His commitment, dedication, leadership, and sheer grit made him rise to the level of success that he desired. His twin brother, Hunter, played beside him. We will all remember him for the way he impacted others' lives."

He concluded, "I love you forever, son. It's not goodbye, it's see you later. God will take care of us till we meet again. RIP. Love, Dad." Austin's last social media post was on X, where he showed his belief in his faith.

The harrowing last post read, "Faith that god got me... and my work will pay off." By the time this article was written, the post had reportedly been viewed more than three million times.

Another post, uploaded in December 2023, showed Austin's love for sports and competition. In the post on X, he appeared holding two trophies while a poster featuring him in his football jersey was displayed in the background.

He captioned the post, "Proud of My accomplishments! Ready for next season, sophomore season out!" Chief Shilson has since released a statement about Austin's death.

Words from the Police Chief and Department

On April 4, 2025, Chief Shilson released a statement on the FPD's website regarding Austin's death. In part, he noted how Frisco was mourning the tragic loss of a young resident due to a senseless act of violence.

He extended heartfelt condolences to the Metcalf family, stressing the importance of guiding youth away from violence and encouraging wise decision-making. The police chief also called on parents to have open conversations with their children.

Chief Shilson expressed gratitude to Frisco PD, FD, ISD staff, and students who helped swiftly resolve the incident and gather information. He praised Frisco's resilience and encouraged the community to respond with compassion, mutual respect, and prayer for the families affected.

In a different statement, the FPD shared heartfelt condolences with the victim's family. It said, "The Frisco Police Department grieves with all those affected by this devastating loss and extends its deepest condolences to the victim's family, students, and staff who are experiencing unimaginable pain."

The statement concluded, "The department is collaborating with the Frisco Independent School District and will continue to provide any support they need during this incredibly difficult time."

Frisco Police and Fire said the investigation into the matter remains active and ongoing. They are being assisted by the Frisco Police Department's (FPD) School Resource Division, Patrol Division, and Criminal Investigations Division.

The FPD asked anyone with information to contact its non-emergency number at 972-292-6010 or to submit a tip using Tip411 by texting FRISCOPD + the tip to 847411.