A teenager who allegedly stabbed 17-year-old high school athlete Austin Metcalf during a confrontation at a Texas track meet is claiming the act was in self-defense.
“I’m not alleged, I did it,” the teen suspect told police, maintaining he was acting to protect himself when he fatally stabbed Metcalf in the chest. The incident occurred on April 2 around 10 a.m. at David Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas, during a championship event.
Austin was accompanied by his twin brother, Hunter Metcalf, a fellow junior at Memorial High School. The pair were in their school’s tent when a student from another school—identified as 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony—allegedly entered the area uninvited.
“This kid was sitting under our tent. We asked him to move. He got aggressive, and my brother stepped in and told him, ‘You need to move,’” Hunter told WFAA in a tearful interview. “He said, ‘Make me move.’”
According to Hunter, the situation escalated rapidly. Karmelo allegedly pulled a knife from his backpack and stabbed Austin in the chest before fleeing the scene.
“I didn’t see the stab, but then I looked at my brother… I tried to help him,” said Hunter, who held Austin as first responders attempted to resuscitate him. Despite their efforts, Austin succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
“They were identical twins, and his brother was trying to stop the bleeding,” said their father, Jeff Metcalf, in an emotional interview with NBC. “Austin died in his brother’s arms.”
Witnesses reported Karmelo said, “Touch me and see what happens,” before pulling out a black knife. Over 30 people—including students and coaches—reportedly witnessed the stabbing.
In a police affidavit, Karmelo claimed he was acting in self-defense, stating, “I was protecting myself.” He also allegedly asked police whether the incident could be classified as self-defense. Officers noted fresh blood on the teen’s hand as he cried in the back of the patrol car. He also reportedly asked if Austin was “going to be OK.”
Karmelo’s family has since spoken out, arguing that the teen was a victim of bullying. “A 4.0 student. A football team captain. A role model,” wrote family friend Kevin Hayes in a viral Facebook post. “He didn’t go looking for trouble—he was trying to survive it.”
The online response has been deeply divided. Some support the self-defense claim, while others question why the teen had a weapon at a school event.
“Why bring a knife in the first place?” asked one commenter. “If he felt threatened, why didn’t he go to school officials or the police?”
Another user added, “You don’t stab someone in the chest in broad daylight and call it self-defense.”
Karmelo Anthony, of Frisco, Texas, has been charged with first-degree murder. His bond is set at $1 million.
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