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By James Bickerton
News Reporter
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An online fundraiser for Karmelo Anthony, the 17-year-old Texas high school athlete accused of murdering fellow student Austin Metcalf at a track event, has raised more than $270,000.
Newsweek contacted Deric Walpole, Anthony's lawyer, for comment on Wednesday via email outside regular office hours.
The Context
On April 2, 17-year-old Metcalf, a student at Memorial High School in Frisco, a northern suburb of Dallas, was fatally stabbed at the Kuykendall Stadium, authorities said.
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Anthony, a Centennial High School student and football player, was arrested in connection with the incident and charged with first-degree murder. He is in custody with bond set at $1 million.
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What To Know
Just one week on from the incident, on April 9, the "Help Karmelo Official Fund," which Anthony's family set up on the crowd funding website GiveSendGo, had amassed $271,503 toward a $350,000 target.
And as of 10 a.m. ET on April 15, it had reached $430,637.
The page said: "This is the Official Support Fund for Karmelo and his family during this challenging and difficult time.
"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."
A GoFundMe page set up "in memory of Austin Metcalf" had raised $176,591 toward a $200,000 target as of 10 a.m. ET on April 15.
"We are honoring the life of Austin Metcalf, a sweet, young, athlete who was tragically killed on Wednesday morning. Please consider donating to help support his mother Meghan and twin brother Hunter," the page said.
A separate GoFundMe created by Jeff Metcalf, Austin Metcalf's father, had raised $350,379 of a $370,000 target as of 10 a.m. ET on April 15.
He wrote: "We will all remember him for the way he impacted others' lives. I love you forever, son. It's not goodbye, it's see you later. God will take care of us till we meet again."
According to the arrest report, the altercation began when Metcalf asked Anthony to move from under Memorial's pop-up tent, at which point one witness said Anthony reached into a bag and replied, "Touch me and see what happens."
The report said Metcalf then "grabbed Anthony to tell him to move and Anthony pulled out … a black knife and stabbed Austin once in the chest."
The wound was fatal, and Metcalf's death was witnessed by his twin brother, Hunter, who told Fox News: "I just saw his soul leave. And it took my soul, too."
The arrest report said Anthony confessed to the police, saying: "I'm not alleged. I did it." The report said he later told the police, "I was protecting myself," adding, "He put his hands on me."
Speaking with the New York Post, Anthony's father said his son had been "provoked" and "was not the aggressor."
What People Are Saying
One person who donated $100 toward Karmelo Anthony's GiveSendGo fundraiser wrote: "I don't know what happened on that tragic day, but as a mother of a Black son, I would need my people to support me and give my son a fighting chance. To the Anthony family, I stand with you all in the fight for justice or at least a fair chance at it. All too often we see them get off while we are held accountable or convicted because we couldn't afford proper legal counsel. I will be praying."
Another person, who gave $25, wrote: "May the truth come to the light."
Deric Walpole, Anthony's attorney, told NBC DFW: "I know that my client said it was self-defense. I don't have any reason to disbelieve that, but I need to develop facts, talk to people, and figure out what's going on before I make any statements about what I think happened. I don't have any reason to think it wasn't self-defense at this time."
Jeff Metcalf wrote on Facebook: "As many of you know already, my son Austin was stabbed to death at a school track meet. This tragedy has shaken me, family, and friends to the core. I trust God will bring us through the tuff times ahead. I appreciate everyone who has reached out. He passed away in his brother's arms. He wasn't alone at least. I cant describe the range of emotions i am feeling. I pray god will guide our paths moving forward."
What Happens Next
Anthony's legal team is seeking to get his bail reduced from $1 million. A criminal trial is expected to follow, though a date has not been announced.
Updates 4/15/25, 10 a.m and 11:53 a.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information and updated donation figures.
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