In the quiet suburban town of Frisco, Texas, a community is reeling from the devastating loss of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, a promising high school athlete whose life was tragically cut short during a track meet on April 2, 2025. The incident, which unfolded in the bleachers of Kuykendall Stadium, has left families shattered and ignited a firestorm of controversy that has spilled far beyond the city limits. At the center of this storm is Karmelo Anthony, also 17, a fellow student charged with first-degree murder in Metcalf’s death. What has amplified the public’s grief and disbelief is the staggering sum of nearly $300,000 raised in just days to support Anthony’s legal defense—a figure that, as of Wednesday afternoon, April 9, stood at over $285,000 on the crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo, with a goal set at $350,000.
The fundraiser, titled “Help Karmelo Official Fund,” was launched by Anthony’s family in the wake of his arrest. It paints a picture of a young man caught in a narrative they describe as “false, unjust, and harmful,” urging supporters to stand by them during this “challenging and difficult time.” The family, identifying as people of faith, has expressed gratitude for the outpouring of donations and prayers, emphasizing their need for assistance as they navigate the legal battle ahead. Anthony, a student at Frisco Centennial High School and a football player, remains in custody at a Collin County jail, held on a $1 million bond. His legal team, newly hired attorneys Billy Clark and Kim Cole, has called for patience from the public, asserting that the teenager and his family are “sincerely saddened” by Metcalf’s death and extending condolences to the victim’s loved ones.
Yet, the rapid accumulation of funds—surpassing $285,000 in less than a week—has sparked widespread outrage, particularly across social media, where users have decried the platform’s decision to host the campaign. Critics argue that raising such a sum for an accused murderer undermines justice, especially given the details emerging from the case. According to an arrest report, the altercation began over a seemingly trivial dispute: Metcalf, a junior at Frisco Memorial High School, reportedly asked Anthony to leave the Memorial team’s tent. Witnesses say Anthony responded with a chilling warning—“Touch me and see what happens”—before retrieving a knife from his backpack. Moments later, Metcalf was stabbed in the chest. As he collapsed, calling for help, emergency responders rushed to his aid, but despite the efforts of school athletic trainers and paramedics, he was pronounced dead.
Anthony, apprehended at the scene, admitted to police, “I’m not alleged, I did it,” though his attorneys have since claimed the act was self-defense. This assertion has done little to quell the public’s anger, with many questioning why such a significant amount of money is being funneled to his cause while Metcalf’s family grapples with their loss. The GiveSendGo campaign has drawn comparisons to past high-profile cases hosted on the platform, including those of Kyle Rittenhouse and Daniel Penny, both of whom also faced legal battles tied to violent incidents. Heather Wilson, co-founder of GiveSendGo, has defended the decision to keep Anthony’s fundraiser active, arguing that the platform upholds the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” and does not act as “judge and jury.” She emphasized that donors are supporting due process, not necessarily the accused’s actions.
The Frisco Police Department, meanwhile, is contending with its own challenges as misinformation swirls online. Fake social media posts, including a fabricated autopsy report suggesting Metcalf died of a drug overdose rather than the stabbing, have forced authorities to issue public statements debunking the rumors. Chief David Shilson has described the scene at the stadium as “horrific and chaotic,” underscoring the ongoing investigation to uncover the full circumstances of the tragedy. Amid this turmoil, a bond hearing for Anthony is scheduled for next week, where his legal team will push to lower the $1 million bail.
For the Metcalf family, the pain is compounded by the public spectacle. Austin’s father, Jeff, has spoken of his son’s bright future, a life extinguished in an instant. The church they attend, Hope Fellowship East, has rallied around them, offering trauma counseling to a congregation shaken by the violence. Pastor John McKinzie has called for prayers for both families, a sentiment that reflects the community’s struggle to find healing amid division. As the fundraiser inches closer to its $350,000 goal, the story of Austin Metcalf and Karmelo Anthony continues to grip the nation, raising profound questions about justice, compassion, and the power of collective support in the face of tragedy.