‘Diploma in hand’: 17-year-old who allegedly stabbed teen at track meet after victim ‘put his hands’ on him allowed to graduate high school, group says

Background: News footage of the crime scene at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas (KXAS). Inset (left): Karmelo Anthony (Frisco Police Department). Inset (right): Austin Metcalf (GoFundMe).

The family of the Texas teenager who allegedly stabbed another teen to death during a high school track meet — telling police, “I was protecting myself” — has reached a deal with his school district to let the accused 17-year-old killer graduate without having to attend classes for the final month and a half of the academic year, a local advocacy group says.

Karmelo Anthony, of Frisco, will be allowed to graduate “with full credit and a diploma in hand” after completing the necessary academic requirements, according to the Next Generation Action Network, which announced the agreement in a statement to local ABC affiliate WFAA. He will not be allowed to walk the stage or participate “in any senior graduation activities,” the group says.

“We are proud to share that Karmelo Anthony will graduate and receive his high school diploma, and that his academic achievements will not be disrupted,” said Next Generation Action Network President Dominique Alexander. “NGAN has worked diligently alongside the Anthony family’s legal team to bring about this fair and student-focused resolution. This is a moment of dignity for Karmelo and a reminder of the power of advocacy done right.”

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Anthony is accused of killing Austin Metcalf, 17, at a track meet on April 2 at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, according to local police. He allegedly used a knife that he pulled from his backpack to stab Metcalf after Metcalf reportedly attacked Anthony.

An arrest affidavit obtained by WFAA says Anthony told officers, “I was protecting myself” and that Metcalf “put his hands” on him while the two of them were arguing in the bleachers.

Anthony’s family has received more than $500,000 in donations through an online fundraiser posted on GiveSendGo — a religious crowdfunding website regularly used by far-right conservatives and their allies — maintaining that he’s been wrongfully charged with murder. “The narrative being spread is false, unjust and harmful,” the fundraiser description says.

“As a family of faith, we are deeply grateful for all of your support during this trying period,” it continues. “Your prayers and assistance mean more to us now more than ever.”

As of Wednesday morning, the fundraiser had brought in more than $528,000 in donations. Its original goal of $100,000 has been raised several times and now stands at $600,000.

Tensions have surrounded the Anthony murder case over the support he has received, and how he has been treated in the eyes of the law.

More from Law&Crime: ‘Out playing football with his friends’: Victim chased down, shot 8 times after ‘typical teenage boy stuff’ escalates to fatal encounter, cops say

Things reached a boiling point in April when the judge overseeing it was doxxed and threatened online after she lowered the teen’s bond from $1 million to $250,000.

The bond reduction by Judge Angela Tucker — a Republican who is Collin County’s first Black judge — led to immense backlash. She was forced to make her X account private after her private information was shared on social media. Things got so bad for Tucker that she had to hire extra security and authorities stepped in to investigate, according to local officials.

The outrage over the case and the judge’s decision has involved numerous factors, including Tucker’s background and the teens’ respective races, as well as Tucker’s, according to the Atlanta Black Star, which published a list of posts targeting Tucker and Anthony.