Chaos erupted at a press conference in Dallas regarding the case of Karmelo Anthony, who is accused of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet. The event, led by Dominique Alexander of the Next Generation Action Network, saw Austin’s father, Jeff Metcalf, being escorted away before it began. Anthony was released on bond after his arrest, and the conference sought to address concerns about the use of over $450,000 donated to the Anthony family on GiveSendGo.
The press conference quickly turned into a heated exchange, with accusations of racism and bigotry thrown around, and Alexander’s admonishment of Jeff Metcalf’s presence at the event. Despite the promised focus on the fundraiser and a statement from Anthony’s mother, Kayla Hayes, the discourse spiraled into personal attacks and shifting blame for the incident. Alexander also criticized the school district’s decision to expel Anthony, implying they were trying to push responsibility onto the student.
Hayes emotionally spoke about her family being under attack and endangered due to allegations and harassment following the incident. She expressed concerns about her husband’s deteriorating mental health and her daughter’s anxiety related to the situation. Both Hayes and Alexander made it clear that none of the donated funds had been utilized by the family, refuting claims of improper spending. Alexander then revisited the issue of race and the perceived lack of equal treatment for Anthony compared to other high-profile cases.
Jeff Metcalf, Austin’s father, stressed that the tragedy should not be politicized or turned into a racial issue, highlighting the human aspect of the situation. He shared memories of his son and the devastating impact on their family following Austin’s violent death. Metcalf also spoke about forgiveness, stating that it was necessary for his own peace of mind rather than for the person responsible for the crime. The incident itself was described as a sudden escalation at the track meet, resulting in Austin’s tragic death despite efforts to intervene by witnesses.
The arrest report detailed the events at the track meet, including Anthony allegedly pulling out a knife and fatally stabbing Austin after a confrontation under a tent. Witnesses reported the sequence of events leading to Metcalf’s death, with Anthony reportedly fleeing the scene afterward. Anthony claimed to the responding officers that he was acting in self-defense, although he eventually acknowledged his role in the stabbing. The tragic loss and the aftermath were described by those involved, emphasizing the impact on the families of both the victim and the accused.
