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 managed to rake in more than $200,000 in donations through an online fundraiser.
Karmelo Anthony, 17, is accused of killing Austin Metcalf, also 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 the teen allegedly attacked Anthony. The arrest affidavit, which was obtained by local ABC outlet WFAA, detailed how Anthony allegedly spoke to officers immediately after the incident, saying: “He put his hands on me, I told him not to.”
The teen’s online fundraiser, which was posted on GiveSendGo, says he’s been wrongfully charged with murder.
“The narrative being spread is false, unjust and harmful,” the description says. “As a family of faith, we are deeply grateful for all of your support during this trying period. Your prayers and assistance mean more to us now more than ever.”
As of Tuesday morning, the fundraiser had brought in more than $220,000 in donations. Its original goal of $100,000 was reportedly raised to $300,000.
Two online fundraisers through GoFundMe for Metcalf’s family have raised a combined total of more than $400,000.
Anthony’s family says dealing with his death has been a “challenging and difficult time” for them. They insist that the teen was defending himself.
In the affidavit, police said witnesses reported seeing Metcalf tell Anthony he had to move his seat in the bleachers during the track meet; Anthony was reportedly sitting in seats for Memorial High School students, but he was a student at Centennial High School.
One witness told police that after being told to move, Anthony reached inside his bag and told Metcalf, “Touch me and see what happens.”
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The witness said Metcalf reportedly touched Anthony, with Metcalf allegedly grabbing Anthony before Anthony stabbed Metcalf to stab him once in the chest before running away. The knife he allegedly used was found in the bleachers, according to cops.
When officers responded to the scene, they located Anthony and he insisted that he was protecting himself. The affidavit stated that as he was being cuffed, Anthony was identified as Metcalf’s alleged attacker by an officer, to which Anthony responded, “I’m not alleged, I did it.”
Anthony was reportedly “emotional” and “crying hysterically” as he was being taken away from the stadium by officers. On his way back to a squad car, Anthony allegedly said, “He put his hands on me, I told him not to.” He also allegedly asked officers if Metcalf was “going to be OK.”
Anthony is currently being held at the Collin County Jail on $1 million bond.
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