Karmelo Anthony sentenced to 35 years behind bars for fatal stabbing at high school track meet

COLLIN COUNTY, Texas (TCN) -- A 19-year-old has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of another teen during a high school track meet in 2025.

On April 7, 2025, police responded to reports of a stabbing at a track meet and located the victim, 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. He had been stabbed in the heart during an argument with the suspect, Karmelo Anthony. The argument reportedly began when Metcalf told Anthony he was not sitting in the correct area. The two did not know each other before the fatal stabbing and attended different schools. First responders attempted lifesaving measures, but Metcalf died in the arms of his identical twin.

At trial, the state called several student witnesses, according to KDFW, who stated Anthony was the aggressor, provoking Metcalf and refusing to leave his team’s tent. They stated Anthony entered the tent because it was raining and would not leave despite being asked numerous times. Anthony then reportedly told Metcalf, “Touch me and see what happens.” Metcalf reportedly shoved Anthony and Anthony then stabbed him.

At trial, Anthony claimed he stabbed Metcalf in self-defense, KDFW reports. According to Collin County Assistant District Attorney Bill Wirskye, “They want to talk about motive. What is not important is motive. What should be important is mindset. He took a knife to a track meet and kept it hidden. There is a no-weapon policy. He was the only one with a knife. He was always going to come out on top.”

WFAA reports that Anthony, who was 17 at the time, was considered an adult under Texas law, but because of his age and the fact that the fatal stabbing did not meet the qualifications for capital murder, life without parole and the death penalty were not options.

During trial, evidence led the judge to introduce a manslaughter charge. To convict Anthony of murder, the jury would need to believe that he “intentionally or knowingly caused the death of another person.” After a few hours of deliberation, the jury found Anthony guilty of murder. The sentence of 35 years in prison was handed down immediately following the verdict on June 9.

People reports that Metcalf’s identical twin, Hunter Metcalf, spoke at the sentencing. He said to Anthony, “Now I want everything taken from you. You took everything from me. I wake up every morning and his door is still shut.”

As she left the courthouse following the sentencing of her son, The New York Post reports Kayla Hayes said, “Racist! Bias!” as she got into a car and many of Anthony’s supporters, who had gathered outside the courthouse, joined in the chant.

An obituary for Metcalf reads, “Austin was a kind-hearted student, navigating the halls of life with dreams yet to be fully realized. Though his time with us was fleeting, the impact he made in his short years was profound — leaving traces of joy and warmth in every moment shared. As we remember him, we reflect on a life filled with potential, aspirations, and the pure essence of youth.”

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