Killing of Austin Metcalf
 Undated photograph of Metcalf | |
| Date | April 2, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Location | Memorial High School, Frisco, Texas, U.S. |
| Type | Homicide by stabbing |
| Deaths | Austin Metcalf, aged 17 |
| Accused | Karmelo Anthony |
| Charges | Murder |
On April 2, 2025, 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, an American student at Memorial High School, was fatally stabbed while attending a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, United States. He died of his injuries at the scene.
Karmelo Anthony, a Centennial High School, student, was arrested in connection with the stabbing and charged with first-degree murder. On April 14, 2025, he was placed on a house arrest with an ankle monitor.
Incident
[edit]The stabbing occurred at the Memorial High School tent in the stadium at approximately 10 a.m. on April 2, 2025. The altercation started when Metcalf told Karmelo Anthony to move out from the Memorial team's tent. A verbal argument between them ensued. During the argument, Anthony told Metcalf: "Touch me and see what happens" while reaching his hand into his backpack. Metcalf grabbed Anthony and asked him to leave the tent again; in response, Anthony pulled out a black knife from the backpack and stabbed him once in the chest before running away. The bloody knife was later found by police in the bleachers. After being stabbed, Austin grabbed his chest and told everyone to get help. When police arrived, he was not conscious or breathing. Multiple athletic trainers were performing CPR on him. Despite the efforts of his brother, responding EMTs and other people to revive him, Austin Metcalf was pronounced dead minutes after arriving in the hospital.[1][2][3]
Anthony was shortly arrested by police. According to a responding officer, Anthony was "emotional" and "crying hysterically" after he was arrested. As he was being escorted to the police car, Anthony reportedly said: "He put his hands on me, I told him not to". While he was sitting at the back seat of the police car, he asked if Metcalf is "going to be ok" and reportedly asked the officer if what he did was considered self-defense.[4][3]
Legal proceedings
[edit]Anthony was charged with first-degree murder and transported to the Collin County jail.[2] He was charged as an adult; under the Texas criminal justice system, defendants age 17 and older are prosecuted as adults.[5]
On April 14, 2025, the judge agreed to release Anthony from jail, citing his clean criminal record and background in academics and athletics. He was placed under house arrest with an ankle monitor, his bond had also been lowered from $1 million to $250,000.[6][7][8] Anthony's lawyer, Mike Howard, said that he would plead not guilty and claim self-defense at his future trial.[9]
Aftermath and misinformation
[edit]The accused's family set up a crowdfunding campaign on GiveSendGo to pay for legal defense and raised over $453,000 in donations by April 17.[10] He has received significant financial support from the Black community.[11] GoFundMe crowdfunding campaigns were launched by Metcalf's father and the owner of the pizzeria in Frisco where Metcalf worked part-time, raising nearly $250,000.[12] Accord to the Next Generation Action Network (NGAN), Karmelo Anthony was moved to an "undisclosed location" after his release from jail following an "alarming increase in death threats, continued harassment, and physical intimidation" targeted at him and his family's home.[13][14] Reportedly, various strangers have visited Anthony's family home, took photos of their property, loitered and impersonated food delivery drivers. The family has also received concerning material in the mail, including Metcalf's obituary.[15][14]
Angela Tucker, the judge who lowered Anthony's bond to $250,000, has been doxed and received multiple threats from unknown people. The FBI is reportedly investigating the incident. Karmelo Anthony was attacked by online critics after a news report from Daily Mail alleged that he is living in a "luxurious" $900,000 house with his family due to him taking thousands of dollars from donations.[16][17] Later, it was shown that the claims were false and that the family had not withdrawn any money from donations.[18] The house they are staying in is a $3,500 per month rental.[19]
The case has garnered widespread attention on social media and right-wing news media, becoming a right-wing cause célèbre.[20] Misinformation about the case has been promoted by supporters of Metcalf as well as by supporters of Anthony.[21] Anthony’s mother stated that the family has received death threats.[22] Both the Metcalf and Anthony families have received swatting calls, resulting in SWAT teams coming to their homes.[23]
After Metcalf's death, an X account impersonating Frisco Police Chief began spreading misinformation. The account posted a fake autopsy report that stated that drugs were involved in his death. The Frisco Police Department, and FBI are investigating the X account for police impersonation.[24][25]
On April 17, Metcalf's father attended a press conference hosted by the parents of Anthony and the Next Generation Action Network, a nonprofit organization working with Anthony's family. According to him, he thought that it would be "an opportunity for the two families to come together in a productive way". After 40 minutes of him being there, he was asked to leave by the organizers and then escorted out by Dallas police after being threatened with trespassing charges. NGAN founder, Dominique Alexander, said that the father's presence was "very disrespectful" to the "dignity of their son". He also said that he wasn't invited and him being near Anthony's family is "inappropriate".[26][27] A few hours after he was kicked out of the conference, gunshots were reported at Metcalf's family house. The call was later confirmed to be a swatting.[28]
During the conference, Dominique Alexander talked about how wrong Frisco Independent School District is in planning to expel Anthony from his school weeks before his scheduled high school graduation. He also talked about how unfair American justice system is, he aksed: "If Kyle Rittenhouse can raise over $2 million and walk free after killing three people on camera, why can’t Karmelo Anthony, with no criminal history, be released on a $250,000 bond?". During his speech, he also defended judge Angela Tucker, who was doxed, he said: "I’m a registered Democrat. She’s a longtime Republican. But calling her a leftist is just more of the political game being played on this child’s life”. He also blamed the school for the stabbing because they chose not to postpone the outdoor stadium event during rain, he said: “You couldn’t hold a track meet in that weather, but you held a school function?”. Monique Alexander said at the end of his speech that this will be the last public press conference until Karmelo Anthony's trial begins.[29][30]
Protest
[edit]The group Protect White Americans held a protest at the David Kuykendall Stadium, the place where Metcalf was stabbed, on April 19, 2025, to demand Anthony be returned to police custody until his trial. Two counterprotesters were arrested at the protest: one who pepper-sprayed an attendee and another who antagonized attendees and wore a jersey with the name "Anthony" on the back.[31] Metcalf's father told the organizer of the protest that he disapproved of his efforts, stating, "You're trying to create more race divide than bridging the gap. I do not condone anything you do." Metcalf's father also requested that his son's school portrait be removed from the website for Protect White Americans.[32]
References
[edit]- ^ Ellis, Nicquel Terry (April 3, 2025). "Austin Metcalf: Police say a 17-year-old was fatally stabbed by another student at a Texas track meet". CNN.
- ^ a b Deliso, Meredith (April 4, 2025). "Texas track meet stabbing: Suspect allegedly told police he was protecting himself". ABC News.
- ^ a b Falcon, Julia (April 4, 2025). "Police report reveals what Karmelo Anthony allegedly said after fatal stabbing of Frisco ISD student". CBS News. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
- ^ Robledo, Alexis Simmerman, Saleen Martin and Anthony (April 16, 2025). "'I did it': Texas teen charged with murder in track meet stabbing claims self-defense". Austin American-Statesman.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Guerrero, Maria (April 17, 2025). "Reporter notebook: A closer look at a bond hearing held for teen accused in track meet stabbing". NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth.
- ^ Landers, Jamie (April 14, 2025). "Frisco stabbing suspect released after bond lowered to $250,000". Dallas News.
- ^ Jenkins, S. E.; Jones, Erin; Miles, J. D. (April 15, 2025). "Karmelo Anthony, charged in fatal Frisco track meet stabbing, released on bond". CBS News.
- ^ Lee, A. L. (April 15, 2025). "'What Am I Missing?': MAGA Mob Accused of Releasing Personal Information About Black Judge In Retaliation for Lowering Karmelo Anthony's Bond, Forcing Her Into Hiding Online". Atlanta Black Star.
- ^ Liddell, James (April 21, 2025). "Track meet murder suspect Karmelo Anthony facing an 'uphill battle' with self-defense claim, legal expert says". The Independent.
- ^ Gamble, J. R. (April 17, 2025). ""Be Confident In How Their Donation Is Being Used:" Karmelo Anthony's Family Blasts False Reports That Family Bought $900K Home With GiveSendGo". The Shadow League.
- ^ "Did an Indian-origin couple rent their home to Texas murder accused Karmelo Anthony?". The Times of India. April 18, 2025.
- ^ Lee, A.L. (April 8, 2025). "'The Hypocrisy Is Not Surprising': Efforts to Delete Karmelo Anthony's $200K Fundraiser Faces Backlash and Comparisons to Kyle Rittenhouse as Lawyer Pushes for Lesser Charges". Atlanta Black Star.
- ^ D'Abrosca, Peter (April 21, 2025). "Suspect in Austin Metcalf killing moved to 'undisclosed location' for protection: family spokesman". Fox News.
- ^ a b Monique, Linder (April 21, 2025). "Karmelo Anthony, Family Move After Repeated Harassment At Their Home". NewsOne.
- ^ Campbell, Sierra (April 22, 2025). "Karmelo Anthony moved 'to ensure his safety': Reports". News Nation.
- ^ Perez, Chris (April 16, 2025). "'Evil judge' in track meet stabbing case doxxed, teen suspect attacked over $900K house". Law & Crime.
- ^ Lee, A. L. (April 15, 2025). "'What Am I Missing?': MAGA Mob Accused of Releasing Personal Information About Black Judge In Retaliation for Lowering Karmelo Anthony's Bond, Forcing Her Into Hiding Online". Atlanta Black Star.
- ^ Deng, Grace (April 17, 2025). "No, family of 17-year-old stabbing suspect Karmelo Anthony did not buy house, car with donated funds". Snopes.
- ^ "Did an Indian-origin couple rent their home to Texas murder accused Karmelo Anthony?". The Times of India. April 18, 2025.
- ^ Olmstead, Molly (April 16, 2025). "It Happened on Liberation Day". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339.
- ^ New, Brian (April 18, 2025). "Pardoned January 6 defendant organized Frisco stabbing protest". CBS News. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ Ellis, Nicquel Terry (April 3, 2025). "Austin Metcalf: Police say a 17-year-old was fatally stabbed by another student at a Texas track meet". CNN.
- ^ Miles, J. D. (April 20, 2025). "Police investigating after families of Frisco track meet stabbing victim and suspect harassed with swatting calls". CBS News.
- ^ New, Brian (April 20, 2025). "False Karmelo Anthony claims, fake Austin Metcalf autopsy drive Frisco stabbing misinformation surge". CBS News.
- ^ "Misinformation Surrounding Fatal Track Meet Stabbing: What You Need To Know". Chicago Defender. April 18, 2025.
- ^ Falcon, Julia (April 17, 2025). "Austin Metcalf's father escorted out of Karmelo Anthony's family news conference after unexpected appearance". CBS News.
- ^ Flowers, Viola (April 18, 2025). "Dad of Texas high schooler fatally stabbed at track meet removed from teen suspect's family press conference". NBC News.
- ^ D'Abrosca, Peter (April 19, 2025). "Slain Texas teen Austin Metcalf's home swatted hours after tense press conference showdown". Fox News – via Yahoo News.
- ^ K. Jones, Damon (April 17, 2025). "Lies, Threats, and Misinformation: What the Media Won't Tell You About the Karmelo Anthony Case". Black Winchester.
- ^ Spago, Chris (April 17, 2025). "Tensions Erupt as Track Stabbing Victim's Father Shows Up Unannounced at Suspect's Family Press Conference". People.
- ^ Rogers, Chase (April 19, 2025). "Two arrested at Frisco Protect White Americans protest over bond for Karmelo Anthony". The Dallas Morning News.
- ^ Rogers, Chase; Rodrigues, Marcela (April 19, 2025). "Austin Metcalf's father tells 'Protect White Americans' leader he's creating racial divide". The Dallas Morning News.