Karmelo Anthony, 19, is on trial in Collin County, Texas, accused of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a Frisco high school track meet in April 2025. Prosecutors say the fatal attack followed a confrontation in the stadium bleachers; Anthony’s
On a rainy morning in April 2025. a confrontation at a Frisco track meet escalated in a way that still reverberates in the Dallas area. Now. in Collin County. opening statements are set to begin Thursday in the murder trial of Karmelo Anthony. a former Texas high school athlete accused of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a fight in the stadium’s bleachers.
Anthony, now 19, faces up to life in prison if convicted in the killing of Metcalf. The case has drawn wider attention beyond Frisco, in part because social media posts amplified the confrontation in racial terms—Anthony is Black and Metcalf was white.
This week, a jury was seated under increased security at a Collin County courthouse. The judge overseeing the proceedings has set strict rules for how the case can be discussed, including prohibiting attorneys from discussing the case publicly.
Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis laid out the prosecution’s posture when he announced the indictment last year, saying, “We know this case has struck a deep nerve — here in Collin County and beyond.”
The stabbing happened after witnesses told police the confrontation began when Anthony sat under a tent belonging to Metcalf’s team at the track meet. The two teenagers attended different high schools in Frisco.
According to an arrest report, Metcalf told Anthony that he needed to move. The report says Anthony reached into his bag and replied. “Touch me and see what happens.” A short time later. Metcalf allegedly grabbed Anthony. after which Anthony pulled out a knife and stabbed the other teenager in the chest. the report says.
Anthony told police that Metcalf had put his hands on him. and that he was protecting himself. according to the report. His attorney. Mike Howard. said after the indictment last summer that he expects prosecutors would “not be able to rule out the reasonable doubt” that his client acted in self-defense once the full details of the confrontation come out.
Both families have said they were planning for college. The parents of both teens described their sons as good students.
But race has loomed over the aftermath. Metcalf’s father, Jeff Metcalf, condemned those who seized on the race of the teenagers after the killing. Speaking on Fox News’ “America Reports,” he said, “This was not a race thing. This is not a political thing. Please do not comment if you do not know what happened.”.
“This is a human being thing,” Metcalf added. “This person made a bad choice and it affected both his family and my family forever.”
Authorities have also warned the public to be careful about online discussions surrounding the case. Frisco Police Chief David Shilson urged people to beware of posts spreading “misinformation, hate, fear, and division.”
In the courtroom. the stakes are immediate and stark: the jury will be asked to determine whether Anthony’s actions were criminal—or whether. as the defense argues. self-defense was possible when the confrontation turned violent. Outside. the fight over interpretation has already spilled beyond the legal process. leaving both families to live with a decision they say no community should have to face.
Karmelo Anthony Austin Metcalf murder trial self-defense Frisco Texas Collin County track meet stabbing Austin Metcalf parents David Shilson Greg Willis social media misinformation
Up to life is wild… but also those bleachers situations always get outta hand.
So was it really racially motivated or are people just saying that cuz it went viral? Feels like social media makes everything sound worse than it is. Either way stabbing is not okay.
I read something about him being a former athlete, like that means he should’ve known better? Also why is the judge telling lawyers not to talk about it, like what are they hiding. They said it started when he sat under a tent, like tents lead to knives now??
I can’t believe this is in Collin County of all places. Rainy morning, track meet, bleachers… sounds like one of those rumors that spiraled. And the part about “touch me and see what happens” sounds like both sides were being dumb, but obviously one person ended up dead. Jury under security too?? glad they got rules cuz everyone’s gonna have opinions anyway.