Teen who allegedly stabbed Austin Metcalf claims self defense

The teenager who confessed to high school student Austin Metcalf during a scuffle at a track meet told police it was in self defense. “I’m not alleged, I did it,” said the 17-year-old, who – contrary to witness testimonials – insists he was “protecting” himself when he buried a knife into the heart of a fellow athlete.

On April 2, about 10 a.m., Hunter Metcalf was with his twin brother Austin Metcalf, a star athlete who was competing in discus throw and shot-put events at a track meet, held at the David Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

“We did everything together. You name anything in the world, it’s always us two. We were always basically one person,” Hunter said of him and Austin, who was born four minutes before his twin brother.

The 17-year-olds – both juniors at Memorial High School outside Dallas – were in the school’s tent at the championship competition when a student – identified as Karmelo Anthony – from another school decided to enter.

“This kid was sitting under out tent at track, we asked him to move. He started getting aggressive and talking reckless and my brother stepped in and said, ‘you need to move,’” Hunter told ABC affiliate WFAA in a heartbreaking interview. “And he’s like, ‘Make me move.’

‘I tried to help him’

Then Karmelo allegedly reached into his backpack and pulled out a knife, stabbing the twin once in the chest before running away.

“I tried to whip around as fast as I could. I didn’t see the stab…but then I looked at my brother… and I’m not going to talk about the rest. I tried to help him,” a teary-eyed Hunter said, adding that tried to save his brother’s life by stopping the blood.

“I tried to help him.”

He held his twin until first responders arrived and attempted resuscitation.

“They yanked me off him,” Hunter said of not wanting to let go of his brother.

Speaking with NBC of the tragic incident, the twins father, Jeff Metcalf, lamented, “They were twins, identical twins, and his brother was holding on to him, trying to make it stop bleeding.”

Despite efforts made by emergency officials, Austin “died in his brother’s arms,” Metcalf said.

“I saw him for his last moments…he knew how much I loved him. I don’t know why someone would do that to someone just over that little argument,” Hunter shared, adding he “had never met [Karmelo]” until the “30 second” “altercation,” that ended in the death of his brother.

‘I did it’

According to witnesses, Karmelo – a 17-year-old student athlete from Centennial High School – told Austin, “touch me and see what happens.”

Before Karmelo reached into his backpack and pulled out a “black knife,” Austin “reportedly grabbed [Karmelo] and told him to move,” the witness said. Then he allegedly stabbed Austin once in the chest before running away, tossing the weapon that was later found in the bleachers.

At that point, Austin was seen grabbing his chest, his brother holding him tightly.

ABC writes that police listed “more than 30 witnesses who saw the stabbing including students and coaches.”

‘Protecting myself’

After police arrived, ABC reports the affidavit states that Karmelo told police “I was protecting myself.”

And, as he was escorted off the track, the teen then claimed that Austin had “put his hands on [him],” later asking if his actions could be considered self-defense.

He then clarified, “I’m not alleged, I did it,” and when Karmelo was “crying hysterically” in the back seat of the cruiser, the officer noted there was fresh blood on the teen’s “left middle finger.”

Appearing to show some remorse, the suspect asked if Austin was “going to be OK,” according to the affidavit.

Buried a dagger

Meanwhile, Karmelo’s family members are rallying for support, suggesting the teenager was a victim of bullies.

“A 4.0 student. A football team captain. A leader, a protector, a role model,” writes Kevin Hayes on a viral Facebook post. “He works hard, stays out of trouble, and carries himself with dignity. Yet, here he is – behind bars. Not because he was looking for trouble. Not because he was the aggressor. But because he refused to be a victim.”

“They jumped him. Outnumbered, attacked – he fought for his life. And now, instead of calling it what it is – self-defense – the system is trying to make him the villain. The real bully is gone, but Karmelo is the one paying the price,” Hayes writes in the post that’s dividing the online community.

“Dude killed someone… I mean it’s good that he was doing what he was supposed to as a young man earlier on but [we’re passed] that and a young man is dead. It’s a shame and [an] embarrassment at the stupidity I see every day,” shares one user in the comments.

“Why did he have a weapon in the first place? If he feared his safety from bullies, did he notify school or cops at the game, parents? Nobody needed to die!” a second shares.

A third offers, “You don’t just bury a dagger into someone’s chest in broad daylight in front of hundreds and be a good person.”

Arguing that Karmelo acted in self defense, another netizen writes, “We think he was defending himself and someone died in the mist,” while a second adds, “We hope Karmelo knows he has a whole tribe of people standing 10 toes behind him!”

Karmelo Anthony, of Frisco, Texas, “is charged with murder, a 1st Degree Felony.” The bond amount has been set to $1,000,000.

What do you think of this tragic incident? As many online users noted, killing another human is not the way to handle a dispute.

Please share your thoughts with us and then share this story so we can hear what others have to say!