Frisco track meet stabbing suspect Karmelo Anthony released from jail on lower bond
At a court hearing Monday morning, a Collin County district judge reduced the bond for Frisco track meet stabbing suspect Karmelo Anthony to $250,000.
Bond conditions for the 17-year-old will include being on house arrest and wearing a GPS ankle monitor.
He posted the bond and was released from jail on Monday afternoon.
Anthony’s bond previously had been set at $1 million. He has been in custody since he was arrested on a murder charge in the April 2 stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet at David Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco.
According to a police report, Anthony cried hysterically and told officers that he acted in self-defense and that Metcalf had “put his hands on me. I told him not to.”
Witnesses told police that the two students fought after Metcalf asked Anthony to move from under the Memorial High School tent, and that Metcalf either pushed or grabbed Anthony before Anthony pulled a knife from his bag and stabbed Metcalf in the chest.
Metcalf’s father said that Austin, a Memorial High student, died in the arms of his twin brother, who tried to stop the bleeding. Jeff Metcalf said that witnesses told him no punches were thrown, but “words were exchanged.”
Who is Karmelo Anthony?
Anthony is a student at Frisco’s Centennial High School.
Anthony’s mother and father testified at Monday’s hearing in 199th Judicial District Court in McKinney, KDFW-TV reported.
The parents told Judge Angela Tucker that Karmelo is the oldest of their four children and that the family moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area four years ago, the Fox news station reported.
Before his arrest, Karmelo was captain of his high school’s track and football teams, his family said. His parents said that the 17-year-old worked two jobs, at Texas grocery chain H-E-B and Foot Locker, and that had never previously been arrested, KDFW reported.
Prosecutors said that Karmelo was involved in some type of altercation at school in February but that it did not involve police.
‘Help Karmelo’ fund raises over $400,000
A GiveSendGo fundraiser that the family has said is the official “Help Karmelo” fund has raised more than $414,000 toward a goal of $500,000 as of Monday.
“This is the Official Support Fund for Karmelo and his family during this challenging and difficult time,” the Anthony family wrote on the fundraising site. “The narrative being spread is false, unjust, and harmful. 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.”
Prosecutors asked at Monday’s bond hearing why the family had not been about to bail out Karmelo after raising that amount of money, KDFW reported. Karmelo’s parents told the court that a lot of the money raised will need to go toward their son’s defense and expenses for the family to move homes because of public attention to the case, and that there is a complicated process to access the funds.
Anthony family hires new attorney
Karmelo Anthony was represented at Monday’s bail hearing by his new attorney, Dallas-based criminal defense lawyer Mike Howard, who asked the judge to set bond at $150,000, Star-Telegram media partner WFAA-TV reported.
Anthony was previously represented by attorneys Billy Clark and Kim T. Cole, who released a statement on behalf of his family last week.
“Karmelo and the entire Anthony family are sincerely saddened that a life was lost and offer their condolences to the family of Austin Metcalf,” the statement said.
“Karmelo like all citizens of the United States, is entitled to a fair and impartial legal process,” the statement continued. “We are committed to ensuring that Karmelo’s rights are indeed protected throughout each phase of the criminal justice system.”
Funeral service for Austin Metcalf
Austin Metcalf’s funeral was held on Saturday at Hope Fellowship Frisco East.
Austin had a 4.0 GPA and had been voted MVP on Frisco’s Memorial High School football team. He planned to attend college and play football, his father said. Some D1 colleges had already reached out to him.
“He was a beloved brother to his identical twin and best friend Hunter Metcalf, whose unwavering love and support will forever echo in the cherished memories they hold dear,” his obituary says.
The obituary described Austin Metcalf as “one of the most kindhearted and genuine people, when you met him, you knew he was someone you could count on in your life.”
In lieu of flowers, the family encouraged donations to a scholarship in Austin’s honor at https://hopefellowship.churchcenter.com/giving
Austin’s parents and other family members also attended Monday’s court hearing.
Frisco police investigate fake social media posts
Frisco police have said that they and the FBI are investigating a series of fake social media posts made in the aftermath of the killing, some of which seemed to be intended to trigger a reaction on racial lines. Karmelo Anthony is Black, and Austin Metcalf was white.
Some of the posts spreading disinformation falsely claimed that they were written by Frisco Police Chief David Shilson and the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office, authorities said.
In a post on the Police Department’s official accounts, Shilson said, “I ask everyone to be cautious of the inaccurate information that is circulating related to this incident, and to only trust information that comes from official releases and verified sources. Beware of those taking to social media to deliberately spread misinformation, hate, fear and division.”
The Next Generation Action Network is working with Anthony’s family and said they have received racially motivated threats. Police said they meet with members of the social justice activist nonprofit organization to address their concerns, such as making sure key witnesses were interviewed.
“We will not be moved by hate or bigotry,” the Next Generation Action Network said in a post after Monday’s hearing. “When the people unite, we can never be divided. Hate can only be driven out by light — and the people rising up to protect a 17-year-old boy is a powerful reminder of what democracy truly looks like.”
“This is not a race issue,” Jeff Metcalf told WFAA. “This is not a black and white issue. I don’t want someone stepping up on their soapbox trying to politicize this. Unless you were there, unless you saw it: don’t spread gossip.”
This story was originally published April 14, 2025 at 10:37 AM.
