What began as a typical high school track meet turned into a devastating tragedy for 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. A promising student-athlete, Austin’s life was taken in a senseless act of violence, leaving his family and community in disbelief, struggling to come to terms with a nightmare that should never have happened.
On the morning of April 2, emergency responders and police rushed to Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas, after reports of a stabbing at a track meet involving students from multiple Frisco ISD schools. According to reports, two student-athletes—both of whom had never met before that day—got into a brief but heated argument over seating in the stands. What started as a verbal exchange quickly escalated into an unthinkable act. The suspect, later identified as 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony, allegedly pulled a knife from his backpack and stabbed Austin in the chest. The entire confrontation lasted less than 30 seconds.
First responders on the scene did everything they could to save Austin’s life. They administered CPR and provided blood in an attempt to stabilize him. Despite their efforts, Austin was pronounced dead at the scene. The entire stadium was thrown into shock. The idea that a student could be fatally stabbed at a school-sponsored event was almost impossible to comprehend.
Austin’s father, Jeff Metcalf, later shared that his son had no prior relationship with the suspect. He believed the situation unfolded when Austin asked the suspect to move, as he appeared to be sitting in an area designated for students from Memorial High School. “They didn’t know each other. Austin told him, ‘You don’t go to Memorial. You don’t belong here,’” Jeff said. The suspect reportedly replied with aggression, leading to the tragic stabbing.
Jeff arrived at the stadium shortly after hearing about the incident, only to be met with a parent’s worst nightmare—his son lying lifeless on a stretcher, covered in blood. “They told me he wasn’t breathing. I could see the blood, I could see the wound… we prayed. I still don’t understand it. This was murder,” Jeff told NBC.
Making the tragedy even more heartbreaking was the presence of Austin’s twin brother, Hunter, who witnessed the attack and tried to save him. Hunter desperately tried to stop the bleeding, holding Austin in his arms until help arrived. “They were identical twins,” Jeff said. “His brother was holding on to him, trying to stop the bleeding, and he died in his brother’s arms.”
Hunter later spoke publicly about the moment he realized his brother was gone. “I tried to move quickly. I grabbed his hand. I looked into his eyes, and I saw his soul leave. And it felt like mine left with it,” he shared in a voice trembling with emotion. Hunter stayed with Austin until first responders reached them, refusing to let his brother go alone.
The events that unfolded shocked the entire community. Austin wasn’t just a student—he was a respected leader and athlete. He excelled in the classroom and on the football field. He was known for his integrity, work ethic, and positive attitude. “He was loved by many,” Jeff said. “He was a strong kid, a strong man. He was on the right path.”
The details of the altercation, as described by Jeff, paint a picture of a situation that spiraled out of control over something incredibly trivial. “Someone behind them was mouthing off. They turned around and asked, ‘Who are you?’ The kid replied, ‘I’m Melo.’ They told him he didn’t belong there and needed to leave. He said, ‘Make me.’ Then he stabbed my son in the heart,” Jeff explained. “This all happened because someone sat in the wrong place at a track meet.”
The suspect, Karmelo Anthony, was quickly taken into custody and is now facing murder charges. The Frisco Police Department released a statement expressing their condolences and emphasized their commitment to working with the school district to support students and staff. “The Frisco Police Department grieves with all those affected by this devastating loss and extends its deepest condolences to the victim’s family, students, and staff who are experiencing unimaginable pain,” the statement read.
Following the stabbing, the 11-5A district championship track meet, which included over 100 students from eight different schools, was immediately shut down. The stadium was secured, and all students were returned to their campuses. Authorities have not yet released the exact location of the incident within the stadium, but investigators were seen examining the stands near the track.
As the investigation continues, the Metcalf family has been overwhelmed by an outpouring of support from the community. A GoFundMe campaign created by Jeff Metcalf has raised more than $175,000 from over 1,300 donors—far surpassing its initial $140,000 goal. In the fundraiser, Jeff described Austin as a passionate, driven, and kind-hearted young man. “He was a bright young man with a great future ahead of him. He was a leader. His smile would light up any room. His commitment, leadership, and grit helped him succeed in everything he pursued.”
In a moment of profound grace, Jeff shared that he had already chosen to forgive the boy who took his son’s life. “You know what? I already forgive this person. Already. God takes care of things. God is going to take care of me. God is going to take care of my family,” he said.
This senseless act of violence didn’t just take the life of a promising young man—it shattered a family, a school, and an entire community. No parent should ever have to bury their child. No sibling should have to witness such horror, much less hold their twin as they take their final breath. Austin’s death serves as a grim reminder of how fragile life is and how quickly it can be lost.
His story is one that will not be forgotten. The grief is raw, and the pain unimaginable, but so too is the love and strength shown by his family and the community rallying behind them. As we reflect on this tragedy, let it be a call to action—to choose compassion over conflict, and to recognize that one careless act can alter countless lives forever.
