The devastating killing of 17-year-old Texas high school student-athlete Austin Metcalf during a track meet has left a community grieving — and now, the teenager accused of the fatal stabbing is speaking out, claiming he acted in self-defense.
The incident unfolded just 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 to compete in shot put and discus events when an unexpected confrontation turned deadly.
“We did everything together,” Hunter said through tears during a televised interview. “You name anything in the world, it’s always us two. We were basically one person.”
Hunter recalled that he and Austin were sitting in their school’s tent when another student, identified as Karmelo Anthony from Centennial High School, entered their space.
“This kid was sitting under our tent at track. We asked him to move. He started getting aggressive and talking reckless and my brother stepped in and said, ‘You need to move,’” Hunter shared with ABC affiliate WFAA. “And he’s like, ‘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 whip 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 yanked me off him.”
Despite efforts from emergency personnel, Austin tragically died in his brother’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 on to him, trying to make it stop 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 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 asked whether Austin would survive. Officers noted he was “crying hysterically” with fresh blood on his hand.
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, not 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 also raised over $140,000 on GiveSendGo to aid his legal defense.
“He’s a leader, a protector, a role model,” wrote family friend Kevin Hayes in a viral Facebook post. “He fought for his life. And now, instead of calling it what it is — self-defense — the system is trying to make him the villain.”
Still, the tragedy has divided public opinion. While some defend Karmelo, arguing he was being bullied, others question why a teen would bring a weapon to a school event.
“You don’t just bury a dagger into someone’s chest in front of hundreds of people and call yourself a good person,” one commenter wrote.
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 for his last moments… he knew how much I loved him,” he said. “I don’t know why someone would do that to someone just over that little argument.”
As this heartbreaking case unfolds, it raises difficult questions about youth violence, self-defense laws, and the emotional scars left behind.
What do you think about this tragic incident? Should more be done to ensure safety at school events? Should teens face adult consequences in such cases? Share your thoughts below — and please share this story to hear what others have to say.
