The tragic killing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, a high school student-athlete in Texas, during a track meet has left the community in mourning. The teenager accused of the fatal stabbing, Karmelo Anthony, is now speaking out, claiming he acted in self-defense.
The incident occurred shortly after 10 a.m. on April 2 at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Austin and his twin brother, Hunter, both juniors at Memorial High School, were preparing for their shot put and discus events when an unexpected confrontation escalated into violence.
“We did everything together,” Hunter said tearfully during a televised interview. “You name it, it was always us two. We were basically one person.”
Hunter recounted that he and Austin were sitting in their school’s tent when Karmelo, a student from Centennial High School, entered their space.
“This kid was sitting under our tent at track. We asked him to move, and he started getting aggressive, talking recklessly. My brother stepped in and said, ‘You need to move,’” Hunter shared with ABC affiliate WFAA. “And he responded, ‘Make me move.’”
Moments later, Karmelo allegedly pulled a black knife from his backpack and stabbed Austin once in the chest before fleeing the scene.
“I tried to turn around as fast as I could. I didn’t see the stab, but then I looked at my brother… I tried to help him,” Hunter said, his voice breaking. “They pulled me off him.”
Despite the efforts of emergency personnel, Austin tragically died in Hunter’s arms. Their father, Jeff Metcalf, described the horror of arriving at the hospital to find his son unresponsive.
“They were twins — identical twins — and his brother was holding him, trying to stop the bleeding,” Jeff told NBC. “He died in his brother’s arms.”
According to the affidavit, over 30 witnesses, including students and coaches, observed the incident. One witness reported that Karmelo warned, “Touch me and see what happens,” before reaching into his bag and stabbing Austin after being grabbed.
When police detained Karmelo, he allegedly admitted, “I did it,” and inquired about Austin’s survival. Officers noted he was “crying hysterically” with fresh blood on his hands.
Karmelo has since been charged with first-degree murder and is being held on a $1 million bond.
Despite the confession, Karmelo’s family insists he acted out of fear rather than malice. His father, Andrew Anthony, described him as a “good kid” with a 3.7 GPA who works two jobs and plays on the football team. Supporters have raised over $140,000 on GiveSendGo to assist with his legal defense.
“He’s a leader, a protector, a role model,” family friend Kevin Hayes wrote in a viral Facebook post. “He fought for his life. And now, instead of recognizing it as self-defense, the system is trying to portray him as the villain.”
The incident has sparked a divide in public opinion. While some defend Karmelo, arguing he was being bullied, others question why a teenager would bring a weapon to a school event.
“You don’t just stab someone in front of hundreds of people and call yourself a good person,” one commenter stated.
Another added, “If he feared for his safety, why not report it to a coach or school official? Nobody needed to die.”
Hunter, who held his brother in his final moments, said he had never met Karmelo before the brief but fatal encounter.
“I saw him in his last moments… he knew how much I loved him,” he said. “I don’t understand why someone would do that over such a small argument.”
As this heartbreaking case unfolds, it raises difficult questions about youth violence, self-defense laws, and the emotional scars left behind.
What are your thoughts on this tragic incident? Should more be done to ensure safety at school events? Should teenagers face adult consequences in such cases? Share your opinions below, and please share this story to hear what others have to say.
