A Texas teen and athlete, 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony, was arrested for the stabbing death of a fellow athlete, 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, on Wednesday, authorities say. Anthony was charged with murder and held on a $1 million bond at Collin County jail.
The murder charge stemmed from a violent altercation during a track meet on April 2. According to News Nation Now, during a track meet between eight other schools in Fresno, Texas, Metcalf asked the defendant to move out of his way to get out from under the team's tent. Instead, Anthony reached into his bag and warned the victim there would be consequences if he touched him.
Next, Metcalf grabbed Anthony to shove him out of the way when the defendant pulled out a black knife and stabbed the victim in the chest before fleeing the scene. Witnesses saw Metcalf hold his chest and cried out for help. Upon the arrival of first responders, the victim was unconscious and later succumbed to his injuries. He died in the arms of his twin brother.
“He was a leader of men. Voted team MPV this season and carried a 4.0 GPA. We will all remember him for the way he impacted others’ lives. I love you forever, son. It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later,” said the victim’s father, Jeff Metcalf, according to News Nation.
Soon, authorities arrested Anthony, who admitted to stabbing Metcalf and told authorities, "I'm not alleged, I did it." However, he claimed it was in self-defense.
Since then, the case has garnered national attention, prompting Anthony’s family to receive racial and death threats.
"We've witnessed disturbing and hateful rhetoric in the aftermath of this tragedy. It is essential that Karmelo Anthony receives a fair trial, free from prejudice and bigotry,” said the Next Generation Action Network president, Dominique Alexander, reported KFOX14.
The Anthony family has raised about $300,000 for the defendant’s legal fees via GiveSendGo after an initial GoFundMe account was removed. However, two GoFundMe accounts for Metcalf have raised about $450,000 to honor him.
The investigation is still ongoing.
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