On April 2, 2025, Austin Metcalf, a White 17-year-old student at Memorial High School, was murdered by Karmelo Anthony, a Black Centennial High School student of the same age, while attending a school track meet in Frisco, Texas. Anthony stabbed Metcalf after an altercation, and Metcalf died of his injuries. Anthony surrendered himself to authorities soon after the stabbing and was charged with murder.
๐ค The Victim
Austin Metcalf was a junior at Memorial High School in Frisco, Texas. He was MVP linebacker of the school’s football team and participated in track and field. He had a twin brother, Hunter Metcalf, with whom he played football.
๐ค The Perpetrator
Karmelo Anthony was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the oldest of four children in his family. He was a student at Centennial High School, also in Frisco, where he was captain of both the track and football teams. He had no prior criminal history, and Anthony and Metcalf did not know each other.
โ๏ธ The Incident
The stabbing occurred at a track meet at approximately 10 a.m. on April 2, 2025. The altercation started when the track and field championship event was delayed due to thunderstorms. Anthony, who had entered Memorial’s tent, was told to move out of the tent by Hunter Metcalf, Austin’s twin brother. Austin then confronted Anthony.
During the argument, Anthony allegedly said, “Touch me and see what happens,” while reaching his hand into his backpack. According to a witness, Metcalf then grabbed Anthony to move him. In response, Anthony pulled out a black knife from the backpack and stabbed Metcalf once in the chest before running away.
๐ Aftermath and Arrest
After being stabbed, Metcalf ran down the bleachers, grabbing his chest and telling those around him to get help. Austin Metcalf was pronounced dead minutes after arriving in the hospital. Anthony quickly surrendered to the police, stating “I was protecting myself.” The affidavit states he was “emotional” and “crying hysterically” after he was arrested.
โ๏ธ Legal Proceedings
Anthony was charged with murder and transported to the Collin County jail. He was charged as an adult. On April 14, 2025, Judge Angela Tucker lowered Anthony’s bond from $1 million to $250,000, citing his clean criminal record and his academic and athletic achievements. Anthony’s lawyer said that he would plead not guilty and claim self-defense at his future trial.
On June 24, 2025, a grand jury indicted Anthony on charges of murder. Anthony’s trial began with jury selection on June 1, 2026, in Collin County, with Judge John Roach Jr. presiding. The jury was seated with no Black jurors, though several were people of color.
๐ฃ๏ธ Trial Testimony
Opening statements began on June 4, with Collin County District Attorney Bill Wirskye stating the killing was a “provoked unjustified murder.” The defense attorney, Michael Howard, stated there are varying accounts of what occurred before the stabbing, and that Anthony reacted “in a split second of fear and chaos.” Students who were under the tent during the stabbing testified on June 5, with multiple students labeling Anthony as the aggressor.
The defense’s case started on the afternoon of June 5, after the prosecution rested. The defense rested on June 8, with Anthony not being called to testify. Closing arguments occurred on June 9.
๐จ Verdict and Sentencing
The jury found Anthony guilty of murder after three hours of deliberation; the verdict was announced at 1:35 PM on June 9. The jury rejected the “sudden passion” claim and sentenced him to 35 years in prison.
๐ Public Reaction
The case attracted national attention, especially on social media, in large part because of the racial undertones of the case, with Metcalf being White and Anthony being Black. Both Metcalf’s father and District Attorney Bill Wirskye have rejected the notion that race played a role in the murder. The murder has contributed to greater racial tension, especially within the Frisco community.
On April 19, 2025, the group “Protect White Americans” held a protest at David Kuykendall Stadium. During the trial, supporters of both Anthony and Metcalf had a continued presence outside the Collin County courthouse. Anthony’s family set up a crowdfunding campaign on GiveSendGo to pay for legal defense, raising over $515,000 by May 1.
| Date | Event | Location | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2, 2025 | Stabbing incident | David Kuykendall Stadium, Frisco, TX | Austin Metcalf stabbed by Karmelo Anthony |
| April 14, 2025 | Bond reduction hearing | Collin County court | Bond lowered from $1M to $250,000 |
| June 24, 2025 | Grand jury indictment | Collin County | Anthony indicted on murder charges |
| June 9, 2026 | Verdict and sentencing | Collin County courthouse | Guilty of murder; sentenced to 35 years |