In a case that has rocked a Texas community and sparked intense online debates, the father of a teenage boy accused of fatally stabbing a fellow student is speaking out. He’s urging the public to look beyond the headlines and consider the full story behind the tragedy.
“He’s a good kid,”
Andrew Anthony, father of 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony, recently gave an emotional, exclusive interview to the New York Post, passionately defending his son. He described Karmelo not as a violent criminal, but as a diligent, high-achieving student caught in an unfortunate, tragic moment.
“Everyone has already made their assumptions about my son, but he’s not what they’re making him out to be,” Andrew said. “He’s a good kid. He works two jobs. He’s an A student, with a 3.7 GPA.”
In the midst of the mounting controversy, a fundraising campaign launched for Karmelo has raised over $143,000 as of Monday. Hosted on GiveSendGo, the campaign was reportedly started by Karmelo’s family, who insist that their son acted in self-defense. Despite police stating that Karmelo confessed to the stabbing, the fundraiser challenges the public’s narrative, with a description on the page stating: “The narrative being spread is false, unjust, and harmful.”
Teen Accused of Stabbing Football Player in Heart During Heated Dispute at Texas Track Meet
Karmelo Anthony, 17, is facing accusations of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, a Texas high school football player, during a heated altercation at a track meet at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Witnesses say the two teens clashed over a seat—and the situation quickly escalated, leading to the tragic stabbing.
“He was not the aggressor. He was not the one who started it,” Andrew Anthony said.
According to the father, Karmelo had been told he was sitting in the wrong seat.
When tensions escalated, he allegedly pulled a knife and stabbed Austin Metcalf in the heart. But Karmelo’s family insists it was self-defense. Many on social media — some claiming to be at the scene — back up that narrative, saying Austin got physical first.
Tragically, Austin died in the arms of his twin brother Hunter, who witnessed the attack.
“I tried to whip around as fast as I could,” Hunter Metcalf told WFAA.
“I looked at my brother and I’m not going to talk about the rest. I tried to help him.”
Hunter, who was born just four minutes after his twin brother Austin, recalled the events leading up to the tragedy. Both juniors at Memorial High School near Dallas, the brothers were sitting together in the school’s tent when a student from a different school entered and took a seat.
“This kid was sitting under our tent at track, so we asked him to move,” Hunter explained in an emotional interview with ABC affiliate WFAA. “He started getting aggressive, talking recklessly, and then my brother stepped in. He said, ‘You need to move.’ And the kid replied, ‘Make me move.’”
Demanding Justice
Jeff Metcalf, devastated by the loss of his son, is demanding justice and struggling to understand how the situation spiraled to such a tragic end.
“I’m not here to pass judgment, but what kind of parents raise a child like this? What kind of lessons were they teaching him?” Jeff Metcalf told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth, his voice filled with anguish. “He brought a knife to a track meet and took my son’s life by stabbing him in the heart. This is murder.”
The Metcalf family insists that Austin and Karmelo Anthony had never met before that tragic and fatal confrontation at the track meet.
As detailed in the arrest report, a witness told police that after a brief argument, Anthony unzipped a bag, reached inside, and issued a chilling warning:
“Touch me and see what happens.”
Seconds later, things took a fatal turn. Police say Austin tried to move Anthony by grabbing him, prompting the teen to pull out a black knife and stab him once in the chest. The blade pierced Austin’s heart.
A Tragic Split-Second Decision
Karmelo Anthony, 17, collapsed in the chaos of the moment, and Austin Metcalf died in the arms of his identical twin brother, Hunter, who was there to witness the heartbreaking scene unfold.
Andrew Anthony insists that the stabbing was a tragic, split-second decision, not a premeditated act. According to ABC, after Karmelo tossed the knife into the bleachers and was escorted out of the stadium, he told police, “I’m not alleged, I did it.”
The affidavit reveals a haunting moment when Karmelo, sitting in the back of the squad car, reportedly asked police if Austin would survive. He also claimed it was an act of self-defense.
“I feel bad for the other parents and family, and words can’t explain how both families have been affected by this tragedy,” Karmelo said.
A Life Cut Short
Jeff Metcalf, shattered by the loss of his son, described Austin as a young man brimming with promise — a standout both on and off the field.
“He was on the right track,” Jeff said, his voice filled with sorrow. “He was loved by many. He was a leader.”
Austin, who carried a 4.0 GPA and was named MVP of the football team, had big dreams of college and a bright future. His father laments how the tragedy didn’t just take a life, but a legacy that was only just beginning to take shape.
A Divided Debate
The case has gone viral, sparking intense debate. Some are calling for the harshest punishment, while others urge caution and empathy, asking the public to wait for all the facts before passing judgment.
One thing is clear: two families have been irreparably changed — and the conversation about justice, self-defense, and teenage violence has never been louder.