The family of the student athlete accused of fatally stabbing his track club rival have received a whopping $245,000 in donations via their fundraising page.
Karmelo Anthony, 17, has been arrested for allegedly knifing Austin Metcalf, 17, during an argument at the the Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on Wednesday.
According to the victim's family, the teens began arguing after Metcalf told Anthony he was sitting in the wrong chair during a football match between their schools.
Anthony allegedly responded by stabbing Metcalf in the heart, leaving him dying in the arms of his twin brother, Hunter.
However, writing on their fundraising page, Anthony's family have said the 'narrative being spread' about the horrific incident is 'false, unjust, and harmful'.
The page had gained $245,000 in donations out of a $300,000 target as of Tuesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, a fundraising page for Metcalf's family has raised $292,000. Writing on the page, his father Jeff Metcalf described the late teen as '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. Voted team MVP this past season and carried a 4.0 GPA,' his father wrote in part, before adding: 'I love you forever, son.'
The family of Karmelo Anthony (pictured), the student athlete accused of fatally stabbing his track club rival, have received a whopping $245,000 on their fundraising page
An arrest report says a confrontation between the football players began when Metcalf told Anthony he was sitting under another team's pop-up tent and told him to move.
The two students began fighting before Anthony unzipped his bag and reached in, telling Metcalf: 'Touch me and see what happens.'
The report says Metcalf then 'grabbed Anthony to tell him to move and Anthony pulled out ... a black knife and stabbed Austin once in the chest.'
Anthony reportedly ran away before being arrested by responding officers.
He had apparently told a school resource officer: 'I was protecting myself,' and, 'He put his hands on me.'
Anthony also asked an officer if what he did could be considered self-defense and asked whether the victim was going to be okay, per police.
He has been charged with murder and faces five to 99 years in prison if convicted.
Metcalf's twin brother Hunter was by his side and held him in his arms as he died.
'I tried to whip around as fast as I could,' a heartbroken Hunter told WFAA. '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.
'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.
The family of Karmelo Anthony (pictured), the student athlete accused of fatally stabbing his track club rival, have received a whopping $245,000 on their fundraising page
Austin's twin brother Hunter held him in his arms and tried to stop the bleeding after the stabbing on Wednesday
Metcalf was a star football player Frisco's Memorial High School and planned to be a college athlete
Austin Metcalf, 17, was fatally stabbed last week allegedly by his track club rival
The killing happened at the Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco on Wednesday
High school senior Anthony, 17, admitted to fatally stabbing Metcalf at a track meet
The track meet was suspended after the horror incident and the stadium was 'immediately secured', according to Frisco officials.
Metcalf, a junior, was a star football player at Frisco's Memorial High School and planned to be a college athlete.
His father Jeff questioned Anthony's upbringing while saying that he already forgave the 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]...
'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.
The grieving father also said he feels bad for Anthony's family.
Austin's father Jeff said he has already forgiven his son's alleged killer
'I feel for [the suspect's] family because 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,' Metcalf said.
Anthony, a senior, is also a star for the Centennial high school football team.
He is being held at Collin County Jail on a $1 million bond.
'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.'
0 Comments