A 17-year-old Texas teenager has been charged in the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf, a high school junior, during a track meet in Frisco.
The alleged attacker, identified as Karmelo Anthony, admitted to the killing during his arrest but claimed it was done in self-defense, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by NBC DFW.
The tragic incident unfolded Wednesday morning at Kuykendall Stadium during a rainy high school track meet. Witnesses told police that Anthony, who was not part of Metcalf’s team, was sitting under another team’s pop-up tent to stay dry.
Austin Metcalf approached Anthony and asked him to move, as he was sitting in a designated area for another school. When Anthony refused, an argument ensued.
According to police reports, Anthony then reached into his bag and allegedly warned Metcalf, “Touch me and see what happens.” Moments later, when Metcalf placed a hand on Anthony in an attempt to get him to leave, Anthony allegedly pulled out a black knife and stabbed him once in the chest.
Austin suffered a single stab wound to the heart and collapsed. He died in the arms of his identical twin brother, Hunter Metcalf, who witnessed the stabbing and attempted to save him.
“It really was under 30 seconds, this altercation,” Hunter told WFAA in an emotional interview. “I never met this kid in my life. My brother stepped in and said, ‘You need to move,’ and [Anthony] was like, ‘Make me move.’ All of a sudden, he grabbed his backpack.”
After the stabbing, Anthony fled the scene but was quickly apprehended by Frisco police nearby. While being taken into custody, he allegedly told officers, “I’m not alleged, I did it.” He also insisted that the stabbing was an act of self-defense. “I was protecting myself. He put his hands on me,” Anthony reportedly said.
Anthony further questioned officers about the legal definition of self-defense and asked whether Metcalf would survive. Sadly, the answer was no.
Austin Metcalf was a junior at Memorial High School, just outside of Dallas. The school district and community have been left in shock over the sudden and violent death of a young man described by those who knew him as kind, driven, and close with his brother.
The incident has raised broader concerns about safety at school events and the presence of weapons on campus. Local authorities continue to investigate the case while the Frisco Independent School District has increased security at school events and is providing grief counseling to students and staff.
Karmelo Anthony is currently in custody, facing charges of murder. As the legal process unfolds, the community mourns the heartbreaking loss of a young life and the unimaginable trauma experienced by his twin brother and family.