The tragic death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf has left a community reeling and hearts broken across the country. A promising young athlete and student, Austin lost his life after being stabbed during a track and field event in Frisco, Texas. His passing has shocked many, especially those who knew him personally and followed his journey as an athlete and role model.
Authorities responded to an emergency on the evening of April 2 at Kuykendall Stadium, where a fight between two students quickly turned deadly. Austin, who was attending the event alongside his twin brother Hunter, was the victim of the stabbing. The incident was described by officials as a confrontation between students that escalated quickly, resulting in one attacking the other with a knife.
Faith that god got me
and my work will pay off.
— Austin Metcalf (@AMetcal) March 31, 2025
As news of the incident spread, tributes began flooding social media. Friends, classmates, and even strangers shared messages of sympathy and disbelief, remembering Austin as a bright and inspiring young man. His final post on X, formerly Twitter, has gained special attention. Just two days before his death, he wrote, “Faith that God got me and my work will pay off.” These words now carry a haunting weight, reminding many of the faith and dedication Austin carried with him.
Messages poured in from those touched by his story. One person wrote, “What a precious heart. He was taken from the world too soon. Although we may not understand the timing, I know God has him now.” Others offered prayers and strength to his grieving family, acknowledging the deep pain they are now facing.
According to reports from the New York Post, the conflict began when Austin approached another student, 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony, who attended a different school and was sitting in Frisco Memorial High School’s designated area. Witnesses say Austin asked Anthony to leave the spot, and when he refused, the confrontation turned violent. Austin’s brother, Hunter, recalled the exchange, explaining how Austin asked Anthony to move, to which Anthony allegedly responded with, “Make me move.”
Tragically, the situation escalated when Anthony reportedly grabbed his backpack, pulled out a knife, and stabbed Austin in the chest. As the scene unfolded in front of dozens of spectators, Hunter rushed to his brother’s side, desperately trying to stop the bleeding while waiting for help to arrive.
We send our deepest condolences this morning to the family of Austin Metcalf and the entire Frisco community pic.twitter.com/b9U52vbLIv
— Texas Football Life (@txfblife) April 3, 2025
Their father, Jeff Metcalf, later shared the devastating moment he was called as Austin was loaded onto a stretcher. He rushed to the hospital, full of hope and prayer, but doctors were unable to save his son. In his own words, Jeff described the event as murder and said, “I don’t understand it, but they weren’t able to save him.” He also spoke lovingly of his son’s leadership and passion for football, calling him someone whose smile could light up any room.
A GoFundMe page has since been created to support the family, where Jeff further shared his heartfelt memories of Austin and the powerful impact he had on others.
Meanwhile, Karmelo Anthony has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder. He is currently being held at Collin County Jail with a $1 million bond. In response to the public reaction, Anthony’s father spoke out, defending his son by stating that Karmelo was not the instigator. “He’s not what they’re making him out to be,” he said, adding that his son is a good kid and wasn’t the one who started the altercation.
Despite the differing accounts, what remains clear is the deep sadness left in the wake of Austin’s death. A young life filled with promise was cut short far too soon, leaving a family in mourning and a community struggling to make sense of the loss.
Austin Metcalf’s legacy lives on in the memories of those who loved him, in the passion he showed on and off the field, and in the strength of the faith he carried with him. May he rest in peace.
