On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, a grand jury in Collin County, Texas, indicted 18-year-old Karmelo Anthony on a first-degree murder charge in connection with the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco earlier this year. The incident, which occurred on April 2 at David Kuykendall Stadium, has gripped the local community and drawn national attention due to its tragic nature and the circumstances surrounding the case.
Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced the indictment after weeks of presenting evidence to the grand jury. "Earlier this spring, our community was shaken by what happened at a school track meet in Frisco — the violent loss of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf," Willis said in a statement. "Today, I summarized that evidence, and I asked the Grand Jury to return a first degree murder indictment against Karmelo Anthony — which they did." He emphasized that the justice system must proceed with steadiness and principle, adding, "With that indictment, the case now moves formally into the court system. From this point forward, we’ll continue doing our part — fully and fairly — to pursue justice under the law. The trial schedule will be set by the court. But when the time comes, we’ll be ready."
The stabbing took place amid a dispute over seating under the Memorial High School team tent during the University Interscholastic League’s District 11-5A championship meet. According to police reports, Austin Metcalf, a student at Memorial High School, told Anthony, a Centennial High School student, to leave the tent because he was not part of their school. The situation escalated when Metcalf reportedly grabbed Anthony, prompting Anthony to pull out a knife and stab Metcalf once in the chest before fleeing the scene.
Witnesses described the harrowing moments following the attack. Austin's twin brother, Hunter Metcalf, recounted on "The Will Cain Show," "I whipped my head around, and then all of a sudden I see him running down the bleachers just grabbing his chest. I put my hand on there, tried to make it stop, and I grabbed his head and I looked in his eyes. I just saw his soul leave, and it took my soul, too." Despite rapid emergency response, including CPR and blood administration, Austin Metcalf was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The tragic loss of Austin has deeply affected his family and community. His father, Jeff Metcalf, expressed his feelings following the indictment: "I am pleased that we are moving forward. With the first-degree murder indictment, it now goes into the court system. I fully believe that justice will be served for Austin Metcalf. I look forward to the forthcoming trial. But it will never bring my son back." Jeff described Austin as a leader and team MVP who maintained a 4.0 GPA, highlighting the profound impact Austin had on those around him.
Meanwhile, Karmelo Anthony has maintained his innocence, asserting that he acted in self-defense. His family, through spokesperson Dominique Alexander, has raised over $530,000 via a GiveSendGo.com fundraiser to support his legal defense. Alexander stated, "The narrative being spread is false, unjust, and harmful," and emphasized that the reasons for Anthony's possession of the knife would be addressed in court. When arrested, Anthony reportedly asked officers if his actions could be considered self-defense, and made a spontaneous statement, "I'm not alleged, I did it," according to arrest reports.
Anthony's attorney, Mike Howard, released a video statement following the indictment, underscoring the principle that the full story will only emerge during trial. "We are confident that when all the facts are presented and the full story is heard, the jury will reach the right conclusion and justice will be done," Howard said. He added, "We expect that when the full story is heard, the prosecution will not be able to rule out the reasonable doubt that Karmelo Anthony may have acted in self-defense."
Anthony was initially held on a $1 million bond, which was later reduced to $250,000 due to financial hardship claims. He was released to home confinement in a secret location after nearly two weeks in jail, with concerns raised about his safety following threats while living in a gated community in Richwoods, Frisco. Neighbors noted that Anthony purchased a new car shortly after the incident, adding to the complex social backdrop of the case.
Frisco Independent School District released surveillance footage of the incident in mid-June, showing the moments leading up to and following the stabbing. The video, recorded from a camera near the press box and covering half of the field, captured activity under the Memorial High School team tent near the 50-yard line. Officials noted that the footage showed no visible physical altercation or escalation prior to the stabbing, with people seen running or walking away from the area shortly after the incident. The knife used was later found in the stands, marked by crime scene tape and a blue tarp.
The footage has raised questions about Anthony's claim of self-defense, as it shows little evidence of immediate threat or provocation. However, the case is now firmly in the hands of the judicial system, where evidence will be examined in detail. The next step involves assigning a trial judge who will set a first appearance court date, which could be days, weeks, or months away.
Under Texas law, 17-year-olds are treated as adults in the criminal justice system. First-degree murder carries a punishment range of five to 99 years or life imprisonment, with an optional fine of up to $10,000. District Attorney Willis reminded the public that Anthony is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The stabbing and subsequent indictment have sparked widespread reaction, highlighting issues of youth violence, race, privilege, and justice within the community. As the case moves forward, many await the trial to shed light on the full circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking event.
