The family of a Frisco high school student arrested in connection with a fatal stabbing at a track meet offered condolences Monday to the other student’s loved ones and called for the public’s patience as they “seek the truth” through the courts.
The statement, issued on behalf of Karmelo Anthony’s family by their legal team, comes after police say the 17-year-old Frisco Centennial High School student stabbed Austin Metcalf, a 17-year-old junior from Frisco Memorial High School, at a track meet at David Kuykendall Stadium on Wednesday.
Anthony and his family, the statement says, are “sincerely saddened that a life was lost.” It goes on to caution the public from “rushing to judgment before all the facts and evidence are presented.”
“This will certainly be a long road ahead,“ the statement reads, ”and during this challenging time, we ask for prayers for both families and we ask for your patience and respect for the legal process as we seek the truth.”
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Related:What we know about the fatal Frisco track meet stabbing
Anthony remained in Collin County jail Monday in lieu of a $1 million bond, according to jail records. His family has retained attorneys Billy Clark and Kim T. Cole, the statement says.
Anthony told police who responded to the stadium that he was acting in self-defense, according to a police report obtained by The Dallas Morning News.
The case has become a flashpoint on social media, drawing intense reactions, speculation and disinformation online — something Frisco police say they are working with the FBI to investigate.
Academics who study social media told The News the disinformation appeared aimed at sowing racial animus online. Metcalf is white. Anthony is Black.
The statement directs media inquires to K.C. Fox, the CEO and founder of The Vault, a Dallas-based media and crisis communication firm.
The case has had other ripple effects. The Wednesday track meet was suspended and resumed Monday, held this time at Little Elm’s Lobo Stadium with additional security, including metal detectors and police officers.
Anthony’s attorneys intend to seek a reduction to the $1 million bond, which they called “excessive” in the statement. He faces a murder charge, a first degree felony punishable with between five years and life in prison.
“At this time, we will not be making further public statements to protect the integrity of the proceedings,” the statement reads. “We trust that the judicial system will carefully examine all aspects of this case.”
