Over $250k has been raised on behalf of Austin Metcalf and over $100k has been raised for his alleged killer.
The junior was in his teams tent when a fight started between himself and 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony.
The senior at Centennial High School was allegedly told he was in the wrong seat when he pulled a knife on the teen, piercing his heart with the weapon, according to the teens father, Jeff Metcalf.
An arrest warrant affidavit revealed that Anthony admitted to the crime, reportedly saying: “I’m not alleged, I did it,” and “I was protecting myself. He put his hands on me.”
A fundraiser has been set up by Anthony’s family in his defense and they also claim the accusations against him are “false, unjust, and harmful.”
The fundraiser reads: “The narrative being spread is false, unjust and harmful,”, “As a family of faith, we are deeply grateful for all of your support during this trying period. Your prayers and assistance mean more to us now more than ever.”
At the time of writing, his fundraiser has raised over $200k.
Stephanie Crutchfield, the owner and CEO of several financial help businesses, made a claim on Anthony’s fundraiser page. She wrote: ‘Let’s get this baby home. I have a young black son as well, and I live in Collin County. This baby was bullied and was defending himself, I know it’s more to this story. I’m praying for you and your family. Please let me know how else I can help.’
She then donated $1,000 to Anthony’s page, later adding: ‘ NO I don’t agree with what he did, but it’s more to this story!
‘This kid had a good future ahead of him as well, and he deserves a great defense attorney!’
There is no evidence that Metcalf was bullying Anthony.
His defense attorney, Deric Walpole, shared: “I don’t have any reason to disbelieve that, but I need to develop facts, talk to people, and figure out what’s going on before I make any statements about what I think happened,”, “I don’t have any reason to think it wasn’t self-defense at this time.”
A separate fundraiser has been started honoring Austin, which at the time of writing, has raised over $250k.
His twin brother, Hunter, rushed to him after the incident but sadly, he could not be saved.
Hunter shared with 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 revealed that neither of the brothers had ever met Anthony before and the fight lasted only moments.
“It really was under 30 seconds, this altercation,” Hunter said. “I never met this kid in my life.
“We asked him to move. He started getting aggressive and talking reckless,” the teen recalled.
“And my brother stepped in and said, ‘You need to move,’” Hunter added, “And [Anthony’s] like, ‘Make me move.’
“All of the sudden, he grabbed his backpack,” the brother said.
He later told Dallas News: “We were one person. We did everything together, everything the same. We connected so well,”
“I put my hand on [his chest], tried to make [the bleeding] stop, and I grabbed his head and I looked in his eyes. I just saw his soul leave. And it took my soul, too.”
Hunter claimed only seconds after the altercation, Anthony had a knife and stabbed the 17-year-old in the chest.
His father Jeff said: “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,”.
“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 added.
“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.
“He was a bright young man with a great future ahead of him,”, “He was a leader of men. His smile would light up the room. His passion for football was unbelievable.
“We will all remember him for the way he impacted others’ lives.”
“I’m so proud,” Jeff said. “Of both of my sons. They were, and still are, great men.”
Sadly, his last ever post was shared to X on Monday; “Faith that god got me and my work will pay off.”
He sadly died in hospital. Anthony was then arrested and charged with first-degree murder.