Texas Teen Accused of Fatally Stabbing Fellow High School Student at Track Meet Will Be Allowed to Graduate and Receive Diploma

• Karmelo Anthony, 17, is charged with first-degree murder and accused of fatally stabbing Austin Metcalf, 17, at a track meet
• After his arrest, Anthony was expelled from school with less than two months until his graduation
• Anthony will now be allowed to graduate and receive his diploma, but cannot attend any school sanctioned events

The Texas teenager accused of fatally stabbing a fellow high school student at a track meet will get to graduate high school.

Senior Karmelo Anthony, 17, is charged with the murder of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf after a verbal altercation between the two young men allegedly escalated to the point of violence.

That incident occurred on April 2, after which the Frisco Independent School District announced that Anthony would be expelled from Centennial High School just two months shy of his graduation.

A spokesperson for the family, Minister Dominique Alexander, now says that Anthony will be allowed to graduate high school and receive his diploma.

“This resolution reflects a victory for justice, academic integrity, and student rights — and [Next Generation Action Network] remains committed to standing with Karmelo Anthony and his family as the legal process continues,” the organization said in a press release obtained by PEOPLE.

Alexander is the president of NGAN, the social justice organization that, along with Anthony’s legal team, held discussions with the school district in order to reach this resolution, according to the release.

Anthony qualified to graduate because he had a 3.7 GPA and completed all necessary credits, the release says.

He will receive his diploma, but he will not be allowed to attend any school sanctioned graduation events as part of the agreement made between the school district and NGAN.

The school district had previously said that “no student who commits a serious criminal offense… is permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony.” 

At a press conference last month, Anthony’s mother Karla Hayes made a public plea that her son be allowed to complete high school.

Anthony is facing a charge of first-degree murder and currently out of custody after posting $250,000 bail.

A probable cause affidavit details the series of events that led up to Metcalf’s death.

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An eyewitness told police that Metcalf allegedly asked Anthony to move out from under a tent because it had been set up for members of his high school track team on the field that rainy day.

Anthony allegedly reached into his bag, according to the eyewitness, and told Metcalf: “Touch me and see what happens.”

The eyewitness said Metcalf allegedly touched Anthony, at which time Anthony allegedly told him to punch him and see what happens, according to the affidavit.

Metcalf allegedly went to physically move Anthony, which is when Anthony allegedly pulled out a knife, stabbed Metcalf in the chest, and fled from the tent, according to the eyewitness.

The entire altercation lasted less than 30 seconds, according to the affidavit, which shows that multiple eyewitnesses described a similar version of events.

When the arresting officer arrived to the scene and referred to Anthony as an “alleged suspect,” the teenager allegedly responded: “I’m not alleged, I did it,” according to the affidavit.

“He put his hands on me. I told him not to,” Anthony allegedly told the officer at one point, and later allegedly asked authorities “if what happened could be considered self-defense,” the affidavit states.