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Killing of Austin Metcalf

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Killing of Austin Metcalf
Undated photograph of the victim, Austin Metcalf
DateApril 2, 2025; 48 days ago (2025-04-02)
LocationDavid Kuykendall Stadium, Memorial High School, Frisco, Texas, U.S.
TypeStabbing
DeathsAustin Metcalf, aged 17
ChargesMurder

On April 2, 2025, Austin Metcalf, a 17-year-old American student at Memorial High School, was fatally stabbed while attending a school track meet in Frisco, Texas. He died of his injuries at the scene.

A 17-year-old Centennial High School student was arrested for the stabbing and charged with murder.

The incident has been the basis for much online attention, misinformation, and fundraising.

Background

Austin Metcalf

Metcalf, born July 31, 2007,[1] was a junior at Memorial High School in Frisco, Texas, where he had a 4.0 GPA. He was MVP linebacker of the football team and participated in track and field.[2][3] Metcalf's father said that his playing football was his "pride and joy".[4] His twin brother, Hunter Metcalf, who played football with him, stated that he always looked up to Austin.[5][6] According to his profile on Hudl, Metcalf was 6 feet (1.8 m) tall, weighed 225 pounds (102 kg) and was a member of the class of 2026.[7]

Alleged perpetrator

The alleged perpetrator was a student and football player at Centennial High School, also in Frisco.[3] Witnesses say that the pair did not know each other.[8] The alleged perpetrator was a prominent athlete of his school's football team, the "Memorial Warriors" and participated in multiple track events.[9] According to his father, he was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and was a captain of a football team and a track team who held two part-time jobs. He was planning to graduate the following month and go to college. He is the oldest of four children in his family. According to his lawyer, he had no prior criminal history.[10] According to his profile on Hudl, he was 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighed 160 pounds and was a member of the Titans Varsity football team.[11]

Incident

The stabbing occurred at the Memorial High School tent in the David Kuykendall Stadium at approximately 10 a.m. (CDT) on April 2, 2025.[12] The altercation started when Metcalf told the accused to move out from the Memorial team's tent. During the argument that ensued, the accused told Metcalf: "Touch me and see what happens" while reaching his hand into his backpack. Metcalf grabbed the accused and asked him to leave the tent again; in response, the accused said "punch me and see what happens", then pulled out a black knife from the backpack and stabbed him once in the chest before running away.[13][14] 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 chest compressions on him. Despite the efforts of his brother, responding emergency medical technicians and other people to revive him, Austin Metcalf was pronounced dead minutes after arriving in the hospital.[15][12]

The accused was quickly arrested by police. According to a responding officer, the accused was "emotional" and "crying hysterically" after he was arrested. The officer then communicated to others that he had the suspect in custody, to which the accused said, "I'm not 'alleged.' I did it." As he was being escorted to the police car, the accused 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.[16][12]

The accused was charged with murder and transported to the Collin County jail.[13] He was charged as an adult, since, under the Texas criminal justice system, defendants age 17 and older are prosecuted as adults.[17]

On April 14, 2025, Judge Angela Tucker agreed to release the accused from jail, citing his clean criminal record and background in academics and athletics. He was placed under house arrest with an ankle monitor, and his bond had also been lowered from $1 million to $250,000.[18][19] According to the conditions of his release, he must be supervised by a parent or an adult at all times; he is also required to contact the judges bailiff every Friday morning. He is prohibited from using social media and is banned from contacting the family of Austin Metcalf.[20]

Mike Howard, lawyer for the accused, said that he would plead not guilty and claim self-defense at his future trial.[21] According to Collin County district attorney Greg Willis, the accused will not be eligible to be sentenced to life without parole or the death penalty, because he is a juvenile. A bond hearing was scheduled for April 28.[22]

Aftermath

According to the Next Generation Action Network (NGAN), a nonprofit organization working with the accused's family,[23] the accused 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.[24][25] Reportedly, various strangers have visited the home, taken photos of their property, loitered and impersonated food delivery drivers. The family has also received concerning material in the mail, including Metcalf's obituary.[26][25] The accused's father resigned from his job because of the doxxing and harassment targeting his employer on social media.[27][28] Angela Tucker, the judge who lowered the bond to $250,000, has been doxed and received multiple threats from unknown people. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is reportedly investigating the incident.[29][30] The local sheriff's office is also investigating on whether anyone shared her personal information online.[31]

Metcalf's family requested privacy for his funeral, which was held on April 9, 2025. His online obituary celebrated his engagement in sports.[32] The case garnered widespread attention on social media and right-wing news media, becoming a right-wing cause célèbre.[33] Misinformation about the case has been promoted by supporters of Metcalf as well as by supporters of the accused.[34] The mother of the accused stated that the family has received death threats.[35] Both families have received swatting calls, resulting in SWAT teams coming to their homes.[36]

On April 17, the parents of the accused and the NGAN held a press conference. Metcalf's father attended, saying it would be "an opportunity for the two families to come together in a productive way". After he had been there for 40 minutes, he was asked to leave by the organizers and then escorted out by Dallas police after being threatened with trespassing charges. NGAN founder and president Dominique Alexander said that the father's presence was uninvited and "very disrespectful" to the "dignity of their son".[23][37] A few hours after the press conference, gunshots were reported at Metcalf's family house. The call was later confirmed to be a swatting. According to the father, approximately 20 officers searched his residence.[38][39]

Fundraiser

The family of the accused set up a crowdfunding campaign on GiveSendGo to pay for legal defense, raising over $453,000 in donations by April 17 and over $515,000 by May 1.[40][41] They received significant financial support from Black people.[42] 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.[43]

The founder of the GiveSendGo company, Jacob Wells, has compared the case to Kyle Rittenhouse and Daniel Penny, stating that the accused should be afforded the "same presumption of innocence" as anyone else.[44] On May 2, GiveSendGo turned off the commenting function on the accused's fundraiser page, citing an "unacceptable volume of racist and derogatory remarks".[45]

Misinformation

The family of the accused was attacked online after a news report from Daily Mail falsely claimed that he was living in a "luxurious" $900,000 house with his family due to him taking thousands of dollars from donations,[29] however the family had not withdrawn any money from donations.[46]

Shortly after Metcalf's death, an X account impersonating Frisco Police Chief began spreading misinformation. The account posted a fake autopsy report that stated that Metcalf died from MDMA-fentanyl overdose. The post gained millions of views on X and other social media platforms. The Frisco Police Department and the FBI began investigating the account for police impersonation.[47][48]

Protest

On April 19, 2025, the group Protect White Americans held a protest at the location where Metcalf was killed, David Kuykendall Stadium. Protestors demanded the accused be returned to police custody until his trial. One counter protestor who pepper-sprayed an attendee and another who antagonized attendees were both arrested.[49] 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." He also requested that his son's school portrait be removed from the group's website.[49]

References

  1. ^ "'We were one person': Twin brother, dad remember Frisco teen fatally stabbed at track meet". Dallas News. April 3, 2025. Archived from the original on April 4, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  2. ^ Heinz, Frank (April 3, 2025). "Man says son was stabbed in the heart at Texas track meet, died in twin's arms". NBC News.
  3. ^ a b Landers, Jamie (April 2, 2025). "What we know about the fatal Frisco track meet stabbing case". The Dallas Morning News.
  4. ^ Vaidyanathan, Vaishnavi (April 4, 2025). "Who was Austin Metcalf? Student fatally stabbed at Frisco school track meet remembered as the "most amazing kid"". Hindustan Times.
  5. ^ Ellis, Nicquel Terry (April 17, 2025). "A teen was fatally stabbed at a track meet in Texas. His twin brother tried to save him". CNN.
  6. ^ McBride, Jessica (April 3, 2025). "Star Athlete Austin Metcalf Stabbed to Death at High School Track Meet". Men's Journal – via Yahoo News.
  7. ^ Bickerton, James (April 3, 2025). "Who is Austin Metcalf? Texas high school student stabbed to death". Newsweek.
  8. ^ Quinn, Liam (April 8, 2025). "Witnesses Say Track Stabbing Suspect and Victim Didn't Know Each Other Before Killing: 'See What Happens'". People. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  9. ^ Banerjee, Shamik (April 3, 2025). "Who Is Karmelo Anthony? Suspect In Frisco, Texas Track Meet Fatal Stabbing Identified". Times Now News.
  10. ^ Landers, Jamie (April 18, 2025). "What we've learned about Karmelo Anthony in the weeks since the fatal Frisco stabbing". Dallas News.
  11. ^ "Who is Austin Metcalf, the Texas high school football star allegedly killed by Karmelo Anthony?". Marca Newspaper. April 3, 2025.
  12. ^ a b c Falcon, Julia (April 4, 2025). "Police report reveals what Karmelo Anthony allegedly said after fatal stabbing of Frisco ISD student". CBS News. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  13. ^ a b Deliso, Meredith (April 4, 2025). "Texas track meet stabbing: Suspect allegedly told police he was protecting himself". ABC News.
  14. ^ Valecia, Jamel (April 9, 2025). "Teen charged in fatal Texas stabbing told police 'I'm not alleged, I did it'". WCHS News.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ Alexis Simmerman; Saleen Martin; Anthony Robledo (April 16, 2025). "'I did it': Texas teen charged with murder in track meet stabbing claims self-defense". Austin American-Statesman.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ Anis, Ariela (April 16, 2025). "Karmelo Anthony's Judge Beefs Up Security Amid Alleged Threats After Reducing Bond And Ordering Him To House Arrest In Austin Metcalf Murder". Hollywood Unlocked.
  21. ^ Liddell, James (April 21, 2025). "Track meet murder suspect Karmelo Anthony facing an 'uphill battle' with self-defense claim, legal expert says". The Independent.
  22. ^ D'Abrosca, Peter (April 10, 2025). "Accused Austin Metcalf killer won't face death penalty or life without parole: DA". AOL News.
  23. ^ a b Falcon, Julia (April 17, 2025). "Austin Metcalf's father escorted out of Karmelo Anthony's family news conference after unexpected appearance". CBS News.
  24. ^ D'Abrosca, Peter (April 21, 2025). "Suspect in Austin Metcalf killing moved to 'undisclosed location' for protection: family spokesman". Fox News.
  25. ^ a b Monique, Linder (April 21, 2025). "Karmelo Anthony, Family Move After Repeated Harassment At Their Home". NewsOne.
  26. ^ Campbell, Sierra (April 22, 2025). "Karmelo Anthony moved 'to ensure his safety': Reports". News Nation.
  27. ^ Miles, J. D. (April 21, 2025). "Frisco police investigating after families of Karmelo Anthony and Austin Metcalf harassed with swatting calls". CBS News.
  28. ^ Villasana, Joe (April 17, 2025). "Mother of Karmelo Anthony says family devastated by death threats, spread of misinformation". KWTX News.
  29. ^ a b Perez, Chris (April 16, 2025). "'Evil judge' in track meet stabbing case doxxed, teen suspect attacked over $900K house". Law & Crime.
  30. ^ 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. Archived from the original on April 17, 2025.
  31. ^ Allah, Sha Be (April 15, 2025). "TX Judge Receives Death Threats Following Bond Reduction In Karmelo Anthony Murder Case". The Source.
  32. ^ Myers, Doug (April 9, 2025). "Family seeks privacy as they lay late Frisco athlete Austin Metcalf to rest". CBS News.
  33. ^ Olmstead, Molly (April 16, 2025). "It Happened on Liberation Day". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339.
  34. ^ New, Brian (April 18, 2025). "Pardoned January 6 defendant organized Frisco stabbing protest". CBS News. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
  35. ^ 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.
  36. ^ Miles, J. D. (April 20, 2025). "Police investigating after families of Frisco track meet stabbing victim and suspect harassed with swatting calls". CBS News.
  37. ^ 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.
  38. ^ 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.
  39. ^ Ganz, Jami (April 18, 2025). "Home of Texas teen fatally stabbed at track meet targeted in swatting call". New York Daily News.
  40. ^ 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.
  41. ^ Neumann, Sean (May 1, 2025). "Accused Teen Track Meet Stabber Raises Over $500k for Legal Defense, 'Safe Relocation' Amid Threats". People – via Yahoo News.
  42. ^ "Did an Indian-origin couple rent their home to Texas murder accused Karmelo Anthony?". The Times of India. April 18, 2025.
  43. ^ 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.
  44. ^ Bedigan, Mike (April 5, 2025). "GiveSendGo founder compares Karmelo Anthony case to Kyle Rittenhouse". AOL News.
  45. ^ Baragona, Justin (May 6, 2025). "MAGA justifies turning n-word woman into folk hero by blaming Texas stabbing suspect". The Independent.
  46. ^ Deng, Grace (April 17, 2025). "No, family of 17-year-old stabbing suspect Karmelo Anthony did not buy house, car with donated funds". Snopes.
  47. ^ New, Brian (April 20, 2025). "False Karmelo Anthony claims, fake Austin Metcalf autopsy drive Frisco stabbing misinformation surge". CBS News.
  48. ^ Baneje, Shamik (April 6, 2025). "Did Austin Metcalf die from drug overdose? Fact-Checking Viral Autopsy report". Times Now News.
  49. ^ a b 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. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
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