Texas Teen Karmelo Anthony Accused Of Murdering Competitor At Track Meet Raises $85,000 For Legal Fund

Baila Eve ZismanApril 13, 2025, 2:33 amNews >

The family of 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony – who was charged with murder following the death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf on April 2 – has started a legal defense fund for him.

The Texas teenager was accused of fatally stabbing his fellow high school track star at a track meet in Frisco, Texas. An eyewitness reported that the altercation between the two boys started when Metcalf allegedly told Anthony to move from the tent that had been set up exclusively for his school at the meet. Anthony purportedly responded, “Touch me and see what happens.” According to the witness, when Metcalf touched Anthony, he ordered Metcalf to punch him and “see what happens.” When Metcalf moved to strike Anthony, he allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Metcalf in the chest.

The fundraiser, posted to GiveSendGo, provides a statement from the family: “This is the Official Support Fund for Karmelo and his family during this challenging and difficult time.”

The statement reads, “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.”

Deric Walpole, an attorney for Anthony, claimed that the stabbing was in self-defense. Walpole told NBC 5, “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 statement about what I think happened…I don’t have any reason to think it wasn’t self-defense at this time.”

Walpole added that he had asked the judge to lower Anthony’s $1 million bond.

According to an affidavit, Anthony told the officer arresting him, “I’m not alleged, I did it…he put his hands on me. I told him not to.”

Anthony’s fundraiser had reached $85,000 in donations out of its $100,000 goal as of Sunday, April 6. Metcalf’s family started their own GoFundMe to cover expenses on April 2 and has raised $250,000.