Why Was Successful Athlete Austin Metcalf Stabbed? – Police and Family Speak Out

At Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas, a bright spring morning turned tragic when a high school track meet became the scene of sudden violence. What began as a typical student-athlete gathering ended in the loss of a young life, leaving a community grieving, and families shattered.

It was just after 10 a.m. on April 2, when students from eight Frisco ISD schools, including Memorial and Centennial High, gathered for the 11-5A district track and field meet. Under the tent reserved for Memorial High, a brief but deadly encounter took place between 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony, a Centennial student, and Memorial junior Austin Metcalf.

Witnesses say the confrontation began when Karmelo sat in the wrong tent. Austin reportedly told him to leave, prompting Karmelo to respond by opening his bag and warning, “Touch me and see what happens.” Some students claim Austin touched or tried to move him — and in the next breath, Karmelo allegedly drew a knife and stabbed Austin once in the chest. The attack, according to police, unfolded in less than 30 seconds.

Karmelo fled, but was found minutes later near the stadium by a school resource officer. Covered in blood and visibly shaken, he reportedly told officers, “I was protecting myself… I did it.” He asked several times whether Austin would be okay, and later questioned if the act could be considered self-defense. Karmelo was taken into custody and charged with murder.

Back at the stadium, coaches and athletic trainers rushed to Austin’s aid, administering CPR and attempting to stabilize him. He was transported to a local hospital but was pronounced dead less than an hour later.

Austin’s mother, Meagan, was at work when she received the call no parent is prepared for — her son had been stabbed. She arrived at the hospital before the ambulance. “He was on a lot of machines,” she recalled, “but it didn’t take long for them to come in and say that he had passed.”

Austin’s twin brother, Hunter, witnessed the stabbing and tried to save his sibling’s life. “I grabbed his head and looked into his eyes,” he said, “and I just saw his soul leave. It took my soul too.”

Austin was a standout student and athlete. A junior with a 4.0 GPA and MVP of the Memorial football team, he had already caught the attention of college recruiters. His parents remember him as driven, respectful, and deeply loved by his peers. “He had ambitions and a spirit you don’t often see,” Meagan shared. “He just wanted to play football, go to the gym, and lead his team.”

For his family, the loss is staggering. Austin and Hunter were born two minutes apart and had been inseparable ever since. Now, Meagan says, “My son has to face the world alone.”

The tragedy has sparked deep concerns over school safety. Austin’s father questioned how a student could bring a weapon into a school event undetected. While Frisco ISD confirmed that certified trainers were present and that the stadium was secured following the incident, they have yet to clarify whether metal detectors or bag checks were in place.

Legal experts say Karmelo’s self-defense claim will likely face steep challenges. Texas law does not support the use of deadly force in response to verbal threats, especially in a public school setting. Karmelo, who is being tried as an adult, remains in Collin County Jail on a $1 million bond.

Meanwhile, the district continues to provide counseling services to students and staff, and mental health experts urge families to watch for signs of trauma. The stabbing was witnessed by more than 30 students and several coaches, many of whom were competing or working at the time.

Community support has poured in for the Metcalf family. A GoFundMe campaign raised over $200,000 in just days to support funeral costs and counseling for Hunter. Friends and neighbors have rallied together, expressing grief and frustration.

Among them is Kari Ordas, a family friend who helped organize the fundraiser. “There’s no words to describe how heartbroken our family is over this,” she said. “It was just so unnecessary.”

As the investigation continues, the community is left to reflect on the fragility of safety, the weight of loss, and the enduring strength of a family torn apart. And for Hunter, life will never be the same. But through shared grief and community resilience, the memory of Austin — student, athlete, brother, son — remains.