The father of the 17-year-old boy accused of fatally stabbing a rival at a Texas track meet has issued a staunch defense of his son and insists he is a ‘good kid’.
Karmelo Anthony was arrested on suspicion of murder after the shocking incident, in which Austin Metcalf, also 17, was stabbed in a brawl over a seat at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco.
Hours after the football star bled to death in his twin brother’s arms, Anthony’s heartbroken father told the New York Post: ‘Everyone has already made their assumptions about my son, but he’s not what they’re making him out to be.
‘He’s a good kid. He works two jobs. He’s an A student, has a 3.7 GPA.’
He also went on to insist that his son did not instigate the brawl which led to the murder, claiming: ‘He was not the aggressor. He was not the one who started it.’
Anthony, 17, has been charged with first-degree murder and remains in police custody, but his father insists the heat-of-the-moment incident is a ‘tragedy’ for both families.
Karmelo Anthony’s father claims his son (pictured) is a ‘good kid’ and didn’t start the melee
Austin Metcalf, 17, was fatally stabbed after he told another teen that he was sitting in the wrong seat during a track meet in Texas, according to his family
‘I feel bad for the other parents and family, and words can’t explain how both [families] have been affected by this tragedy.’
Anthony was allegedly told he was sitting in the wrong seat at the track meet, before he drew a knife and stabbed Metcalf in the chest as his identical twin brother watched on.
Metcalf’s father Jeff has also spoken out, questioning the upbringing of the alleged killer, asking: ‘What kind of parents did this child have? What was he taught?’
The victim’s brother Hunter recalled the heartbreaking incident, telling WFAA: ‘I tried to whip around as fast as I could… I looked at my brother and I’m not going to talk about the rest. I tried to help him.’
Hunter then called his parents, who rushed to Austin’s side but found him not breathing.
The Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco was ‘immediately secured’ following the incident
Austin’s father Jeff (left) said he has already forgiven his son’s alleged killer
‘I could see all the blood, and I saw where the wound was, and I was very concerned, so I had to find his brother, and we rushed to the hospital. And we prayed, and it’s God’s plan, I don’t understand it, but they weren’t able to save him. This is murder,’ his father Jeff Metcalf said.
Incredibly, his father Jeff also revealed that he has already forgiven the alleged killer.
‘He brought a knife to a track meet and he murdered my son by stabbing him in the heart. The guy was in the wrong place and they asked him to move and he bowed up [became angry and aggressive]. This is murder,’ he added.
‘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.’
The grieving father also said he pities Anthony’s family. ‘Now their son will end up in prison and learn that he killed someone, and he devastated and killed my son who I can never get back. It’s unfortunate for everyone involved.’
Austin’s twin brother Hunter held him in his arms and tried to stop the bleeding after the stabbing on Wednesday
Anthony, a senior at Frisco Centennial High School, is being held at Collin County Jail with no bond set.
‘UIL is deeply saddened by the tragic incident that took place at the District 11-5A track meet on April 2 at Frisco ISD’s Kuykendall Stadium,’ the school district said in a statement.
‘UIL staff is in communication with district officials to provide support and assistance during this time… Our thoughts go out to those impacted.’
After the incident occurred, the meet was suspended, the stadium was ‘immediately secured’, and students were sent back to their home campuses, according to Frisco officials.
