Karmelo Anthony was charged with first-degree murder after being accused of fatally stabbing fellow student Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025.
Anthony allegedly stabbed Metcalf after asking him to leave a tent he was sitting under at Kuykendall Stadium, according to an eyewitness who told police in a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE.
The situation quickly escalated when Anthony allegedly told Metcalf, “Touch me and see what happens.” According to the eyewitness, Metcalf then moved and grabbed Anthony, prompting the latter to retaliate by pulling a knife from his bag and stabbing Metcalf in the chest. Metcalf had died by the time he arrived at the hospital. Both athletes were 17 when the incident occurred.
According to the affidavit, Anthony appeared to admit to killing Metcalf when he allegedly told officers, “I did it.” However, he also claimed that he was simply “protecting myself.”
On June 24, a grand jury formally indicted Anthony for first-degree murder. The date of his trial has not yet been set, but he is currently on bond.
Here’s everything you should know about Karmelo Anthony and the stabbing of fellow student Austin Metcalf.
What is Karmelo Anthony accused of?
Anthony and Metcalf died in a track meet when they were both 17 years old. The former attended Frisco Centennial High School, while the latter went to Frisco Memorial High School.
According to a copy of the probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, an eyewitness informed police that Anthony was sitting under a Memorial High School tent when Metcalf told him to leave.
“Anthony grabbed his bag, opened it, and reached inside, telling [Metcalf], ‘Touch me and see what happens,'” the witness stated in the affidavit.
Metcalf “proceeded to touch Anthony” and “grabbed Anthony to tell him to move” from the tent. Anthony then allegedly went into his bag and took out a “black knife and stabbed [Metcalf] once in the chest and then ran away.” Metcalf was pronounced dead when he arrived at the hospital.
Officers identified and arrested Anthony shortly after the alleged 30-second altercation.
According to the affidavit, the arresting officer arrived at the scene, found Anthony, and labeled him a “alleged suspect.” Anthony, on the other hand, allegedly responded, “I’m not alleged, I did it.”
“I was protecting myself,” he allegedly told officers, before becoming emotional and saying, “He put his hands on me. “I told him not to.”
Anthony claims he was acting in self-defense and allegedly asked officers, “If what happened could be considered self-defense.”
What was Karmelo Anthony charged with?
On June 24, Collin District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Anthony had been formally charged by a grand jury with first-degree murder in the death of Metcalf.
Anthony will face trial as an adult because the Texas criminal justice system considers 17-year-olds to be adults. Willis stated in a press release that Metcalf’s “violent loss” of life left the community “shaken by what happened.”
“For several weeks, my team has been presenting evidence to the grand jury. Today, I summarized the evidence and asked the Grand Jury to return a first-degree murder indictment against Karmelo Anthony, which they did,” Willis stated.
He went on to say, “We know this case has hit a nerve in Collin County and beyond. That is understandable. When something like this occurs at a school event, it shocks people to their core. However, the justice system performs best when it moves steadily and with principle. That is what we are committed to. And that is exactly what this case merits.”
Willis also requested that people be “mindful” of Metcalf’s family and “keep them in your thoughts.”
“Finally, remember that a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law,” the sender said.
After the indictment was issued, Austin’s father, Jeff Metcalf, told the Daily Mail, “I am confident that justice will be served for Austin Metcalf.” I look forward to the upcoming trial. But it will not bring my son back.”
Anthony’s bond was originally $1 million, but Collin County Judge Angela Tucker later reduced it to $250,000. Anthony posted bond and was released on an ankle monitor. As the trial became more public, the court allowed Anthony to await the proceedings in an undisclosed location to “ensure his immediate safety,” according to Fox 4 News KDFW.
What has Karmelo Anthony said about the stabbing?
Anthony, his family, and his attorneys all insisted that he was acting in self-defense.
Shortly after his arrest in April, Anthony’s attorney reiterated his client’s claim that he acted solely to protect himself.
“I understand that my client claimed it was self-defense. I have no reason to doubt that, but I need to gather facts, speak with people, and figure out what’s going on before making any statements about what I believe happened,” attorney Deric Walpole told local news outlet NBC 5 on April 4. “I don’t have any reason to think it wasn’t self-defense at this time.”
After Anthony was officially released on bond on April 14, one of his defense attorneys, Mike Howard, told reporters, according to The Dallas Morning News, that “every Texan deserves the right to defend themselves when they reasonably fear for their life.”
“There are two sides to every story,” Howard explained. “Karmelo is 17 years old and an excellent student. He is the captain of both his track and football teams. “This is a complete tragedy for both families.”
When asked why Anthony was allegedly carrying a knife in his backpack at the time of the stabbing, Anthony replied, “That’s an understandable question, but it’s not something that we are prepared to go into.”
Meanwhile, Anthony’s family has launched a GiveSendGo fundraiser to help with legal fees and other “necessary needs.” As of June 25, the page had raised over $537,000.
“We ask for your ongoing prayers, support, and solidarity. “Your contribution not only helps to protect and stabilize the family, but it also sends a strong message of community care and resistance to injustice,” they wrote on the website.
What has Austin Metcalf’s family said about his death?
Metcalf’s family has also been remembering him in the months following his death.
Metcalf’s father, Jeff, spoke out against a group called Protect White Americans shortly after his son’s death, describing it as “an act of racial violence,” according to KERA.
“You’re trying to create more race divides rather than bridging the gap,” he told the organization over the phone during a rally at David Kuykendall Stadium.
Later that month, Jeff attended a press conference where the Anthony family spoke for the first time about Anthony. He was then asked to leave the venue and chastised for acting “inappropriately” by Minister Dominique Alexander, president of advocacy group Next Generation Action Network. In May, Jeff spoke out again after it was confirmed that Anthony would be able to graduate from high school but would be barred from participating in any activities or ceremonies.
“I have been stonewalled. “Sad, you know, but I understand the protocol,” Jeff told CBS News in May.
Meanwhile, Austin’s mother, Meagan, and twin brother, Hunter, issued a joint statement obtained by CBS News on April 7.
“My son and I are profoundly thankful for the overwhelming support, prayers, and love we have received,” she said. “Tragedies inevitably raise questions that go unanswered. We will entrust the detectives in charge of the investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding Austin’s death, while our family, Hunter, and I will focus on remembering and honoring Austin.”
In addition to his public statements, Jeff set up a GoFundMe for his son just hours after he was stabbed on April 2.
“He was a bright young man with a great future ahead of him,” Jeff said. “His enthusiasm for football was unbelievable. This past season, he was voted team MVP and maintained a 4.0 GPA. He was excited to step up his game. His commitment, dedication, leadership, and sheer grit propelled him to the level of success he sought.”
Jeff added, “His twin brother, Hunter, played alongside him. We will all remember him for his impact on the lives of others. I love you forever, son. It isn’t goodbye; it’s see you later. God will care for us until we meet again. RIP. “Love, Dad.”
As of June 25, Jeff’s GoFundMe campaign had raised over $562,000.
