What Is Karmelo Anthony Accused Of? Inside the Shocking High School Stabbing Case

Karmelo Anthony was indicted for first-degree murder after being accused of fatally stabbing fellow student Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025.

Anthony allegedly stabbed Metcalf after he asked him to move out of a tent he was sitting under at Kuykendall Stadium, an eyewitness told police in the probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE.

However, the situation quickly escalated after Anthony allegedly told Metcalf, “Touch me and see what happens.” The eyewitness claimed that Metcalf then began to move and grab Anthony, so the latter is believed to have retaliated by pulling a knife out of his bag and stabbing Metcalf in the chest. Metcalf died by the time he arrived at the hospital. Both athletes were 17 at the time of the incident.

Anthony seemingly admitted to killing Metcalf when he allegedly told officers that he “did it,” per the affidavit. However, he also claimed that he was only “protecting myself.”

Anthony’s fate will be determined by a court after he was formally indicted by a grand jury for first-degree murder on June 24. The schedule has yet to be set, but he is awaiting trial on bond.

Here’s everything to know about Karmelo Anthony and the stabbing of fellow student Austin Metcalf.

What is Karmelo Anthony accused of?

Anthony and Metcalf had their fatal track meet run-in when they were both 17. The former was a student at Frisco Centennial High School, and the latter attended Frisco Memorial High School.

According to a copy of the probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, an eyewitness told police that Anthony was sitting under a Memorial High School Tent, so Metcalf told him to leave.

“Anthony grabbed his bag, opened it and reached inside and proceeded to tell [Metcalf], ‘Touch me and see what happens,’ ” the witness told police in the affidavit.

Metcalf “proceeded to touch Anthony” and “grabbed Anthony to tell him to move” from the tent. Anthony then allegedly went into his bag and pulled out a “black knife and stabbed [Metcalf] once in the chest and then ran away.” Metcalf was pronounced dead by the time he arrived at the hospital.

Shortly after the altercation, which allegedly took place within 30 seconds, officers identified and arrested Anthony.

Per the affidavit, the arresting officer arrived at the scene and found Anthony and called him an “alleged suspect.” However, Anthony allegedly responded, “I’m not alleged, I did it.”

“I was protecting myself,” he allegedly told officers while getting emotional and saying, “He put his hands on me. I told him not to.”

Anthony has maintained that he was acting in self-defense and even allegedly asked officers, “If what happened could be considered self-defense.”

What was Karmelo Anthony charged with?

On June 24, Collin District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Anthony had been formally indicted by a grand jury for first-degree murder in the death of Metcalf.

Anthony will be tried as an adult, since the Texas criminal justice system considers 17-year-olds to be adults. In a press release, Willis said that Metcalf’s “violent loss” of life left the community “shaken by what happened.”

“For weeks, my team has been presenting evidence to the grand jury. Today, I summarized that evidence, and I asked the Grand Jury to return a first degree murder indictment against Karmelo Anthony — which they did,” Willis said.

He added, “We know this case has struck a deep nerve — here in Collin County and beyond. That’s understandable. When something like this happens at a school event, it shakes people to the core. But the justice system works best when it moves with steadiness and with principle. That’s what we’re committed to. And that’s exactly what this case deserves.”

Willis also asked people to be “mindful” of Metcalf’s family and to “keep them in your thoughts.”

“Finally, remember that a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law,” he concluded his message.

After the indictment was issued, Austin’s father, Jeff Metcalf, told the Daily Mail in a statement, “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.”

Anthony’s bond was initially $1 million, but Collin County Judge Angela Tucker later reduced the price to $250,000. Anthony posted bond and was released with an ankle monitor. As the trial has gained more publicity, the court allowed Anthony to await the proceedings in an undisclosed location to “ensure his immediate safety,” according to Fox 4 News KDFW.

What has Karmelo Anthony said about the stabbing?

Anthony, his family and his attorneys have all maintained that he was acting in self-defense.

Shortly after he was arrested in April, Anthony’s attorney reiterated his client’s message that he acted only to protect himself.

“I know that my client said it was self-defense. I don’t have any reason to disbelieve that, but I need to develop facts, talk to people and figure out what’s going on before I make any statements about what I think happened,” attorney Deric Walpole told local news outlet NBC 5 on April 4. “I don’t have any reason to think it wasn’t self-defense at this time.”

After Anthony was officially released on bond on April 14, another of his defense attorneys, Mike Howard, told reporters, per The Dallas Morning News, “Every Texan deserves the right to defend themselves when they reasonably fear for their life.”

“There are two sides to every story,” Howard added. “Karmelo is a 17-year-old kid and an excellent student. He is the captain of his track team and the captain of his football team. This is a tragedy all the way around for both families.”

When asked why Anthony was allegedly carrying a knife in his backpack at the time of the stabbing, he said, “That’s an understandable question but it’s not something that we are prepared to go into.”

Meanwhile, Anthony’s family has launched a fundraiser on GiveSendGo to help pay legal fees and other “necessary needs.” As of June 25, the page had raised more than $537,000.

“We ask for your continued prayers, support, and solidarity. Your contribution not only helps protect and stabilize the family, but also serves as a powerful message of community care and resistance in the face of injustice,” they wrote on the website.

What has Austin Metcalf’s family said about his death?

Metcalf’s family has also been honoring him in the months since his death.

Shortly after losing his son, Metcalf’s father, Jeff, spoke out against a group called Protect White Americans, who called Metcalf’s death “an act of racial violence,” according to KERA.

“You’re trying to create more race divide than bridging the gap,” he told the organization over the phone when they held a rally at David Kuykendall Stadium.

Later that month, Jeff appeared at a press conference where the Anthony family was speaking out about Anthony for the first time. He was subsequently asked to leave the venue and was later criticized for acting “inappropriately” by Minister Dominique Alexander, president of advocacy group Next Generation Action Network. In May, Jeff spoke out again after it was confirmed that Anthony would be allowed to graduate high school but was not permitted to attend any activities or ceremonies.

“I’ve been stonewalled. Sad, you know, I understand the protocol,” Jeff said in May, according to CBS News.

Meanwhile, Austin’s mom, Meagan, and his twin brother, Hunter, released a joint statement obtained by CBS News on April 7.

“My son and I are profoundly thankful for the overwhelming support, prayers, and love we have received,” she wrote. “Tragedies inevitably raise questions that remain unanswered. We will entrust the detectives handling the investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding Austin’s passing, while our family, Hunter, and I prioritize commemorating and honoring Austin.”

In addition to his public statements, Jeff also created a GoFundMe for his son just hours after he was stabbed on April 2.

“He was a bright young man with a great future ahead of him,” Jeff wrote. “His passion for football was unbelievable. Voted team MVP this past season and carried a 4.0 GPA. He was looking forward to taking his game to the next level. His commitment, dedication, leadership, and sheer grit made him rise to the level of success that he desired.”

Jeff added, “His twin brother, Hunter, played beside him. 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. God will take care of us till we meet again. RIP. Love, Dad.”

As of June 25, Jeff’s GoFundMe has raised more than $562,000.