The father of a 17-year-old football star, who was fatally stabbed by another teen at a Texas track meet, has forgiven the attacker, saying he trusts God to take care of his family.
Killed in the altercation April 2 at a school district track meet at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas, was Austin Metcalf.
Speaking to NBC5 in Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin’s father, Jeff Metcalf, described the tragic circumstances surrounding his son’s death. And he wondered out loud why his son’s attacker responded to a seemingly small confrontation with deadly violence.
“He brought a knife to a track meet, and he murdered my son by stabbing him in the heart,” Jeff Metcalf told NBC 5. “The guy was in the wrong place, and they asked him to move, and he blew up.”
Metcalf added, “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.”
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According to Metcalf, Austin, a junior at Memorial High School in Frisco, was a straight-A student and MVP of his high school’s football team. He also had a twin brother with whom he was “inseparable.”
“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,” Jeff Metcalf said. “I rushed up there and I saw him on the gurney, and I could tell—they said he wasn’t 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.”
Frisco police told NBC 5 they arrested and charged 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony, a student at Frisco’s Centennial High School, with Austin Metcalf’s murder.
Anthony’s bond was set at $1 million. But his lawyer, Deric Walpole, is arguing Anthony acted in self-defense and his bond should be reduced, NBC 5 reported.
“I know that my client said it was self-defense,” Walpole said. “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.”
An arrest report obtained by NBC 5 stated that about 40 student athletes and some coaches witnessed the fatal stabbing.
Witnesses reportedly stated that Metcalf told Anthony to move from Memorial’s pop-up tent during a downpour. (Other teams had their own tents available, according to NBC 5.)
Anthony then opened his bag and told Metcalf, “Touch me and see what happens,” a witness told police. Metcalf then pushed Anthony, a witness said, and in response Anthony pulled a black knife from his bag, stabbed Metcalf, and ran away.
In speaking to police, Anthony reportedly admitted he had stabbed Metcalf but said, “I was protecting myself” and “he put his hands on me.”
A GoFundMe account organized by Jeff Metcalf to help his family has raised nearly $255,000 toward its $270,000 goal.
“We will all remember him for the way he impacted others’ lives,” Jeff Metcalf wrote on the donation page. “I love you forever, son. It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later. God will take care of us till we meet again. RIP.”
Austin’s mother, Meghan Metcalf, and his brother Hunter Metcalf, also released a statement to NBC 5, thanking people for their support.
My son and I are profoundly thankful for the overwhelming support, prayers, and love we have received. Tragedies inevitably raise questions that remain unanswered. We will entrust the detectives handling the investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding Austin’s passing, while our family, Hunter, and I prioritize commemorating and honoring Austin. We extend our gratitude to everyone who has supported us in numerous ways and helped sustain our family during this difficult time.
The family has stated that a memorial service to celebrate the life of Austin Metcalf will be held Saturday, April 12th at 10 a.m., at Hope Fellowship Frisco East, 9950 Rolater Rd., Frisco, Texas, 75035.
Julie Roys is a veteran investigative reporter and founder of The Roys Report. She also previously hosted a national talk show on the Moody Radio Network, called Up for Debate, and has worked as a TV reporter for a CBS affiliate. Her articles have appeared in numerous periodicals.
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29 Responses
I would like you to do some more investigation of this. Anthony is black and has been bullied by Austin before. Young black men have to give in to white men all the time, no matter what they demand. I am sorry, but this story is presented only from a white male dominant point of view. I thought I could trust Roys Report to give honest news commentary.
The fact that Anthony was carrying a knife and challenged Metcalfe before pulling out the knife shows that he was planning to take Metcalfe’s life when he wasn’t even in risk of bodily harm from Metcalfe. This WAS premeditated murder – but here may be a mitigating factor.
John – Was Anthony carrying a pocket knife? I have one on my keychain. Does that mean every time I carry my keys that I’m planning on taking somone’s life? You make a HUGE leap here.
And that is not the definition of premeditated murder AT ALL.
““Touch me and see what happens,” a witness told police. Metcalf then pushed Anthony, a witness said, and in response Anthony pulled a black knife from his bag, stabbed Metcalf, and ran away.””
He used to the push as an excuse to use his knife, that he had to pull out of a bag. He had already decided what he was going to do if touched.
Two testosterone filled young men playing stupid games.
“I have one on my keychain. Does that mean every time I carry my keys that I’m planning on taking somone’s life?” This is called gas lighting.
Do you walk up to people saying, ‘touch me and see what happens?’
We have no idea what your intentions with your knife are, but most carry one as a weapon, if needed. Just because you carry one, does not mean you are the example we compare everyone to.
“He used to the push as an excuse to use his knife, that he had to pull out of a bag.”
You know for a fact he used the push as an excuse? Metcalf isn’t accountable for pushing Anthony first? THAT escalated this whole avoidable tragedy. But because Metcalf tragically lost his life, we must twist the narrative so he avoids accountability for putting his hands on Anthony first (which is assault)? I disagree.
“He had already decided what he was going to do if touched.”
Again, you know this as a fact? How? I caution ANYONE from touting assumptions as fact.
That was my point with my knife. You don’t know others’ intentions for carrying, so just leave it there. (BTW mine is for tasks on my family ranch – it is TEXAS).
And have I warned someone about touching me? Yes. Not as a death threat, but to indicate I felt threatened and would defend myself if touched. Did Anthony feel threatened? We don’t know.
@Marin Heiskell:
Please investigate the Texas statute on self-defense, as well as in self-defense statutes generally. You are only allowed to use proportional force. Proportional force to being shoved is shoving back. And even if you are “feeling threatened” you are not allowed to use deadly force unless you yourself are being threatened with deadly or maiming force. You are only allowed to use deadly force if you feel that your life or long term health is threatened, not if you are fearing getting shoved out of a tent or even punched in the face. The world that you are describing, where people can stab and shoot people to death over minor scuffles, would be one that is drenched in death, blood and chaos and where most people would be afraid to leave their homes.
The questions are why someone would logically, illegally bring a knife on school grounds? So he exhibiting criminal behavior, by committing a felony. Then go into an area he would not be welcomed, and having his own school tents available. Asked to leave, then opening his bag with a concealed weapon, and then challenging a group of people with a threat. Then going into his bag to get his “see what happens” and using it, not showing it, or waving it around. Which is most likely going to be considered premeditation because he opened his bag prior to making his threat, which indicates he already knew what he would do if touched, and was looking for an excuse to use it, and then claim self defense, although he was able to run away after stabbing the other kid.
What were his other options you ask? Not bringing a knife on school grounds, not going into a rival schools area where confrontation is guaranteed (anyone who has played high school sports knows the code) unless invited by the team/school, respecting the request to leave, asking to stay until the storm passes, using his fists, or using his head and walking away.
This is a sad situation where a parent has found the strength to forgive his son’s killer, but people want to focus on the poor attacker, who is now the victim, not the dead.
Could not care less why you carry a knife, this isn’t about you.
Andrew – you are proving my point. There are a LOT of questions to be asked here, and you’re filling them in with assumptions when there is still an investigation going on. You are not only speaking as if your assumptions are facts (which is misrepresentation), you’re exacerbating too: “Touch me and see what happens” is allegedly what Anthony said to METCALF; you are now claiming he was “challenging a GROUP of people with a threat.” My responses are to prove that there can be different answers to these same questions (I wonder if Anthony intentionally went to the tent, or if he ran under the most convenient one due to the downpour of rain…I don’t know), so let’s make sure we position our assumptions as just that – assumptions. Anything else is unhelpful and accusatory.
@Kent Johns – I’m not by ANY means saying that Anthony’s response was justified. I AM saying the dialogue around intent DOES shift if Metcalf physically assaulted him first. It is harder to legally prove premeditation if Anthony was pushed first. Add in that we are learning Anthony was captain of the track team, had zero run-ins with the law, was a solid student athlete who also held down 2 jobs while maintaining a good GPA, admitted to venue security that he did it while asking “is he gonna be ok?”….it’s going to be an uphill battle to position Anthony as some heartless thug who randomly attended a track meet with a focused plan on killing Metcalf (as many are assuming and trying to push).
@Andrew Thomas – your response PROVES what I’ve been saying: there are still A LOT of questions to be answered, yet many are stating their assumptions as facts. I wasn’t making anything about me; I was introducing a very logical reason for someone having a knife besides assumptions that it must be “to carry a weapon” or to “intend to harm”.
Overall, I stand by my statement that this was an avoidable tragedy. I hate to see the emotions of the community and families exacerbated by floating assumptions and unchecked rumors about these children and what happened. If only we were that fervent about saying and spreading prayers as we are about rumors.
The police report and the testimony from multiple witnesses contradict your claims: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/family-of-karmelo-anthony-share-condolences-over-fatal-stabbing-of-frisco-isd-student/
What is your source otherwise? And do you claim that the deceased did not have the right to insist that Anthony leave their tent? This was not a public space but a private tent.
Shary, what is your source, and how would you have written this report differently? According to the news, the two young men did not know each other. No one knows why Anthony (Black) was under the wrong tent, and why he was carrying a knife. A White young man is dead. These are facts of the case, tragic no matter what. Metcalf’s father stated that he forgave the murder of his son on seemingly minor provocation. I think that was the point of the article.
When the only tool in your toolbox is a hammer, everything becomes a nail. Please wake up from your racist slumber and really look around. It will go better for you.
I find it interesting that you read a story about a father forgiving his son’s murderer and immediately see race. Not the power of the Gospel to move men to forgive under such circumstances. That says a lot about you, not the author of the article.
There is no evidence that these two ever met before this incident. They went to different schools and all of the witnesses have testified that the two did not know each other. That is completely false.
Anthony came and sat down in an area designated for another school and was told to leave because he had no business being there. I’ve heard this “bullying” accusation before but telling someone to vacate an area they aren’t supposed to be is not bullying. Anthony provoked the entire situation by entering an opposing teams designated area and then refusing to leave like a normal person would. This coupled with the fact that he was armed with a knife on school grounds (which is a felony) would lead most people to believe that he was deliberately looking for a fight.
But leaving that aside, I would just point out that even if you were correct (which you are clearly not) you are defending the idea that someone has a right to stab someone in the chest for “bullying” them (ie telling them to leave an area they don’t belong), which is morally insane.
Victim narrative is all they have at this point, because the thought of personnel/moral responsibility would result in following God’s standards, and what values they are being taught. You cannot discuss evidence (illegally carrying a knife on school grounds, and an example of why this law exists) because it’s how you feel that matters, not the truth. Oh, but he was getting wet nonsense, is the excuse for his behavior. How soft are we raising our children?
Andrew –
The concept of “victim narrative” could also be applied to Metcalf, who is not being held accountable for pushing (assaulting) Anthony first. That’s not ok.
Both of these boys played a part in what could have been an avoidable tragedy.
Yes, BOTH.
The tragic passing of Metcalf does not change that.
It is tragic how many people are pretending that there is no difference between shoving someone and stabbing someone in the heart.
Being killed for your actions isn’t accountable?
Not when you have to change the narrative to make Metcalf appear as if he did nothing wrong. If it is true he allegedly assaulted Anthony fault, the accountability comes in acknowledging that Metcalf (like Anthony) played a role in escalating an avoidable tragedy.
@Kent Johns – where did I say there was no difference? Or was this comment intended for someone else?
@Andrew Thomas – changing the narrative to erase or overlook Metcalf’s alleged assault of Anthony is not accountability.
It is possible to admit that Metcalf also played a role in the escalation of this conflict while STILL finding his death to be tragic – especially since it was avoidable.
Our young people need to learn how to handle conflict WITHOUT violence – and that means without the use of weapons AND without putting their hands on others.
The response to the shove/push is the issue. You are allowed to defend with the proportional amount of force used against you, and needed to subdue an attacker.
There is no doubt his actions contributed to his death, you do not touch someone in an aggressive manner, without expecting a response.
Just an FYI. anytime you bring yourself into a conversation you take the focus off of the issue, and make your standard of behavior the focus. You are looking for excuses for his actions (using yourself as an example, the rain, etc …),
You are stating to know my intent (“looking for excuses for his actions”) and you don’t.
I don’t desire that to be the impact of my questions or comments either.
Again, I am simply exposing that there are a LOT of variables and questions – some that are still being clarified – that prove the narrative of “a thug chose to go to a track meet to kill Metcalf” being promoted is false. For example:
– Being the captain of the track team is different from choosing to go to a track meet.
– Taking cover under the nearest tent in a downpour that caused events to be paused is different from intentionally strolling over to a tent on a clear evening just to antagonize.
– Being pushed first is different from being the initial physical instigator.
– Asking “is he going to be ok” is hardly the question a callous intentional killer would ask.
We have fellow Christians blindly repeating or buying into a false narrative as part of supporting the Metcalf family and the father’s statement. One can do the latter without the former (although I agree with Anil’s comment below, that “blind forgiveness” is dangerous and unBiblical).
False narratives do little more than exacerbate the emotions of the community and families impacted by this. Shouldn’t we care about the truth – and use it as a lesson on ALL the ways this could have been avoided?
What’s wrong with that?
Shary Hauber,
You had better bring some receipts for those assertions.
Jeff can only forgive Anthony for the effect the murder of his son had on him personally. It is not his place to forgive him for the murder of one of God’s creatures.
Given this is near my hometown – and the fallout from this has klan alerts floating about the area – I have been following this closely. There is still a LOT coming out about this, including more details of what happened and the context of the troubling history between the young men involved. We need to reserve judgment as more comes out, but continuously rain down prayers on both the families impacted and the community.
The was an avoidable tragedy.
Upvoting Shary’s comment. A child’s death is always a tragedy, but there does seem to be much more to this story than what is represented here.
Interesting how a story about the power of the Gospel to move a father to immediately forgive his son’s killer for you is not only mainly about race, but that the murderer is the victim. That speaks volumes about you and your outlook on the world. But you repeated a couple of falsehoods that need to be refuted.
There is no evidence that these two boys knew each other. Literally all of the witnesses have stated these two never met and we also know they went to separate high schools. The claim that Metcalf bullied Anthony in the past is completely false.
Anthony armed himself with a knife, went to a high school track meet (a class E felony), walked into a tent designated for another school, sat down in an area he had no right to be in, refused to leave when told to do, reached into his backpack and grabbed his knife and dared the person telling him to leave to lay a finger on him. Ma’am, in no universe does that fit the definition of being “bullied”. In fact, most people would call that “picking a fight” and since he was armed, with intent to at least commit bodily harm. Simply put, that is the behavior of a sociopath and if the races were reversed you would have no problem seeing that obvious point.
Lastly, I would point out that even if Anthony was being “bullied” (which he wasn’t) you are at least implying if not claiming that bullying is justification for burying a knife in someone’s chest, which is morally insane. There is no problem with this story. When your worldview causes you to invert justice and see murderers as victims and victims as oppressors, the problem lies within yourself.
Joseph –
This incident took place during a downpour of rain strong enough to pause the track meet. We don’t know if Anthony took a walk to a specific tent to cause trouble; it’s more likely those on the track took cover under whatever tents were convenient until the rain passed. Anthony is also a football player; many football players are also sprinters on the track team. So it’s also unlikely Anthony attended the meet at random. Many witnesses are also saying Metcalf grabbed Anthony FIRST, which is an important detail. We also don’t know if Anthony aimed at the chest on purpose OR if Anthony just stabbed blindly to get Metcalf to let go of him and it was a tragic hit.
Everything I’ve said above are reasons to wait for more details to come out.
“If the races were reversed you would have no problem seeing that obvious point.” This reads like an assumption here; one of many you’ve made in your narrative. Overall, you’re making a bunch of assumptions while criticizing someone else for doing the same; you just don’t LIKE hers.
There are PLENTY of tragic incidents in which it comes out the person who lost their life was indeed the instigator. Victim does NOT equal innocent. While I agree that bullying is no justification for killing someone, we know that mindset is not consistent. There are PLENTY of cases where killing was not justified, but that wasn’t necessarily the popular opinion (Kyle Rittenhouse?). I believe this is why people are on edge.
Let’s respond with prayer, not more assumptions and accusations.
‘Metcalf added, You know what, I already forgive this person. Already.’
Forgiveness without repentance is unbiblical. Christians in America have been brainwashed and misguided by their pastors and preachers to believe in unconditional forgiveness. Even God does not forgive unconditionally but demands repentance before we get the free gift of salvation. When Jesus prayed on the cross, “Father forgive them…” he was *not* saying “Father, I forgive them”. Jesus was praying that God would not destroy his executioners immediately, but give them a chance to be forgiven *after repenting*. If you read passages in the book of Acts where the gospel was preached, repentance in order to receive forgiveness was always preached. Forgiveness without repentance removes justice and enables abuse. A lot of what is wrong with American Christianity can be traced to this one false teaching – “unconditional forgiveness”.
Anil, I am so glad you pointed that out. I totally agree with your take on Jesus’ words, “Father, forgive them”. Plus, I don’t see how we can forgive someone for taking someone else’s life, when lives belong to God only. To say that he does not wish for his destruction and hopes he would repent and seek forgiveness from God, would be understandable, but to immediately say I forgive him, is kind of weird.