The father of Karmelo Anthony, a 17-year-old who has been detained for allegedly stabbing fellow teenager Austin Metcalf at a Texas track meet, has shared his perspective following the incident.
The altercation occurred at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on Wednesday, April 2, involving both Anthony and Metcalf. According to the Frisco Police Department, the confrontation between the two students ended with one stabbing the other.
Metcalf’s twin brother, Hunter, was present at the event and attempted to aid his brother, who unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
In response to the incident, Anthony, who attends Frisco Centennial High School, was apprehended by police and charged with first-degree murder. As of April 4, he remains in custody without bond.
Anthony’s father, Andrew Anthony, has publicly defended his son, portraying him as a ‘good kid’ and suggesting that his son was provoked during the altercation.
Speaking with The New York Post, Andrew stated, “Everyone has already made their assumptions about my son, but he’s not what they’re making him out to be. He’s a good kid. He works two jobs. He’s an A student, has a 3.7 GPA.”
Andrew further claimed that his son was not the instigator, saying, “He was not the one who started it.”
“I feel bad for the other parents and family, and words can’t explain how both [families] have been affected by this tragedy,” Andrew added.
In another interview with WFAA, Hunter Metcalf expressed that he did not witness the stabbing but described the incident as ‘senseless.’
“I don’t know why a person would do that to someone, just over that little argument,” Hunter commented.
Hunter indicated that the conflict arose after his brother asked Anthony to vacate their school’s tent at the meet. According to The New York Post, the dispute was over ‘a seat’ at the stadium.
“I tried to help him,” Hunter recalled about his brother, mentioning that emergency responders had to pull him away from Metcalf as he was being loaded into the ambulance.
Metcalf, a junior at Frisco Memorial High School, was remembered by his mother, Meghan Metcalf, as an ‘amazing kid.’
“So smart. He had college football guys looking at him to play in college. His goal was to play in college,” she shared with WFAA.
Following the incident, the Frisco Independent School District issued a statement describing the situation as ‘unprecedented.’
“Frisco ISD shares in the grief of everyone impacted by this heartbreaking loss, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the victim’s family, students, staff, and our community during this difficult time,” the district stated.