The father of a Texas teen accused of fatally stabbing a football star from a rival school over a seat at the stadium says his son is a “good kid” who was provoked to violence.
“Everyone has already made their assumptions about my son, but he’s not what they’re making him out to be,” Andrew Anthony told The Post.
Karmelo Anthony, 17, was arrested Wednesday for allegedly killing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet, leaving him to die in his twin brother’s arms.
“He’s a good kid. He works two jobs. He’s an A student, has a 3.7 GPA,” the heartbroken dad said.
Austin Metcalf was stabbed to death at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, on April 2, 2025. Family Handout
Karmelo Anthony was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Frisco Police Department
The elder Anthony insisted his son didn’t instigate the tragic brawl over a seat at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas, where the boys’ schools had met for a track meet.
“He was not the aggressor. He was not the one who started it,” Anthony said.
Though Karmelo has been charged with first-degree murder, Anthony said his son’s action was a heat-of-the-moment mistake that has brought tragedy to both families.“I feel bad for the other parents and family, and words can’t explain how both [families] have been affected by this tragedy.”
Karmelo, a senior at Centennial High School, was allegedly told he was sitting in the wrong seat before he drew a knife and launched his attack, the father of the victim told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth.
Karmelo allegedly stabbed Austin Metcalf in the chest as his victim’s identical twin brother, Hunter Metcalf, watched in horror.
Hunter rushed to Austin’s aid but couldn’t save him.
“I tried to whip around as fast as I could,” an emotional Hunter told WFAA. “I looked at my brother and I’m not going to talk about the rest. I tried to help him.”
Meghan and Hunter Metcalf spoke to WFAA after the tragic stabbing. WFAA
“They were twins, identical twins, and his brother was holding on to him, trying to make it stop bleeding, and he died in his brother’s arms,” their father, Jeff Metcalf, told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth.
Hunter called his parents to tell them about the stabbing, with their father rushing to the stands to find Austin on a gurney, not breathing.
“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,” Jeff Metcalf said.
The stabbing happened around 10 a.m. during the UIL District 11-5A championship track meet at Kuykendall Stadium. NBC 5 DFW
The teen was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
“Despite lifesaving measures by police and fire personnel, including CPR and the administration of blood, the [17]-year-old died,” Frisco police said.
The grieving father questioned Karmelo’s upbringing and parents as he forgave his son’s alleged killer.
“I’m not trying to judge, but what kind of parents did this child have? What was he taught? 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,” Jeff Metcalf said.
“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 added.
