The family of Austin Metcalf, a 17-year-old junior at Frisco Memorial High School, is grappling with profound grief following his tragic death at a track meet on April 2, 2025. Austin was fatally stabbed during the University Interscholastic League’s (UIL) District 11-5A championship at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas, in an incident that has shocked the community and raised urgent questions about safety at school events. In an emotional outpouring, Austin’s parents, Jeff and Meghan Metcalf, and his identical twin brother, Hunter, have spoken publicly about their loss, declaring, “He didn’t deserve it.” A chilling detail has emerged from the tragedy: a small, engraved pocketknife, a keepsake Austin carried from a family hunting trip, was found near his body, untouched and unopened, underscoring the senselessness of the attack.

A Vibrant Life Extinguished

Austin Metcalf was a beloved figure in Frisco, known for his infectious enthusiasm, unwavering kindness, and dedication to his passions. A standout linebacker on the Memorial High School football team, Austin was voted team MVP by his peers and coaches, a testament to his leadership and athletic prowess. He was also an active participant in track and field, using the sport to enhance his speed for football and pursue his dream of playing at the collegiate level. Beyond athletics, Austin was a devoted member of Hope Fellowship Frisco East, where he participated in youth group activities and lived out his faith.

“Austin was the light of our family,” his mother, Meghan, told WFAA in a tearful interview. “He was so smart, so driven. He had college coaches looking at him, and his dream was to play football in college. He didn’t deserve this.” Austin’s father, Jeff, echoed her sentiments, describing his son as a natural leader who brought joy to everyone around him. “He was voted team MVP because he led by example,” Jeff said to FOX 4. “He was always there for his teammates, his friends, his family. This loss is unimaginable.”

The weekend before the tragedy, Austin, Hunter, and their father had gone on a hunting trip, a cherished family tradition. “We had the best time,” Jeff recalled, his voice breaking. “I didn’t know it would be the last time I’d see him smile.” The discovery of the pocketknife, engraved with Austin’s initials and given to him by his grandfather during that trip, has added a poignant layer to the family’s grief. “It was just a keepsake,” Meghan said. “He never used it, never pulled it out. It was just something he carried to remember his grandpa. To think it was found near him, unused, while someone else took his life—it’s unbearable.”

The Fatal Confrontation

The incident occurred during what should have been a celebratory event at Kuykendall Stadium, where students from across Frisco Independent School District (ISD) gathered to compete in the district track meet. According to police reports, the altercation began over a seemingly minor dispute about seating arrangements in the stands. Austin and his Memorial High School teammates were setting up their team tent when they noticed another student, identified as 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony from Frisco Centennial High School, standing in their designated area. Witnesses reported that Austin and his teammates asked Anthony to move, leading to a heated exchange.

The situation escalated quickly, and Anthony allegedly stabbed Austin in the chest with a knife. Austin’s twin brother, Hunter, was nearby and rushed to his side, attempting to stop the bleeding as Austin collapsed. “I held him, tried to keep him with me,” Hunter told CBS News, his voice heavy with emotion. “I looked into his eyes and saw him slipping away. I couldn’t save him.” Despite the efforts of Hunter and the five certified athletic trainers present at the event, Austin was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital shortly after the attack.

Karmelo Anthony was arrested at the scene and charged with first-degree murder. He is currently held at the Collin County Jail on a $1 million bond, with a bond hearing scheduled for the following week. According to the arrest affidavit, Anthony claimed the act was in self-defense, alleging that he felt threatened during the confrontation. However, the presence of Austin’s unused pocketknife has cast doubt on this claim. “There’s no evidence Austin was a threat,” said North Texas criminal defense attorney Philip Linder in an interview with FOX News. “If the victim had no weapon drawn and posed no imminent danger, self-defense is a hard argument to make.”

A Family’s Anguish

The Metcalf family’s grief is compounded by the public nature of their loss and the haunting circumstances surrounding it. Hunter, who shared an unbreakable bond with his twin, has been particularly devastated. “Austin was my other half,” Hunter said in an interview with WFAA. “We did everything together—football, track, hunting, everything. Losing him feels like losing part of myself.” The image of Hunter holding his dying brother has resonated deeply with the Frisco community, amplifying the tragedy’s emotional weight.

Jeff and Meghan have been candid about their pain, yet they have also expressed a remarkable sense of compassion. “I’ve forgiven the person who did this,” Jeff told FOX 4. “I feel for their family, too, because they’re going to live with the consequences of this forever. But Austin didn’t deserve this. No one deserves this.” Meghan, meanwhile, has struggled with the randomness of the act. “It was over a seat,” she said, her voice trembling. “How does a disagreement over a seat end with my son’s life being taken?”

The family has found solace in their faith and the support of their community. Hope Fellowship Frisco East, where Austin was an active member, has become a gathering place for those mourning his loss. A candlelight vigil held the evening after the stabbing drew hundreds of students, teachers, and residents, who shared stories of Austin’s kindness and infectious energy. “He was the kind of kid who made everyone feel included,” said Sarah Thompson, a classmate, during the vigil. “He’d high-five you in the hallway, even if he barely knew you.”

Community Response and Safety Concerns

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through Frisco, a city known for its strong community ties and pride in its schools. Frisco ISD issued a statement expressing their devastation and commitment to supporting those affected. “We are heartbroken by the loss of Austin Metcalf,” the district said. “We are providing counseling services to students and staff and are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.” However, the district has faced criticism for its security measures, particularly how a knife was brought into the event undetected.

Jeff Metcalf has been vocal about his concerns. “How does a kid bring a knife to a school event?” he asked in an interview with CBS News. “There needs to be better screening, better security. This can’t happen again.” Frisco ISD has not released specific details about the security protocols in place at the track meet, but they have promised a thorough review of their procedures. Community members have taken to social media platforms like X to voice similar concerns, with posts calling for metal detectors and increased police presence at future events. One user, @FriscoParent, wrote, “Heartbroken for the Metcalf family. Frisco ISD needs to explain how this happened. Our kids deserve to be safe at school events.”

The discovery of Austin’s pocketknife has added complexity to the narrative. While it was not used in the altercation, its presence has sparked debates about whether students should be allowed to carry such items, even as sentimental keepsakes. “It was a gift from his grandfather,” Meghan clarified. “It wasn’t a weapon to him—it was a memory. He never would’ve used it to hurt anyone.” The family hopes this detail does not overshadow Austin’s character or the senselessness of the attack.

A Legacy of Love and Leadership

As the Metcalf family prepares for Austin’s funeral on Saturday, April 12, at Hope Fellowship Frisco East, they are focused on honoring his life and legacy. The service, set to begin at 10 a.m., will be followed by a private burial. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to a scholarship fund established in Austin’s name, which will support young athletes pursuing their dreams. “Austin was all about helping others,” Jeff said. “This scholarship will keep his spirit alive by giving kids a chance to chase their goals, just like he did.”

The scholarship fund, accessible through the church’s website, has already received significant contributions, reflecting the community’s desire to honor Austin’s memory. His obituary describes him as a young man who “left traces of joy and warmth in every moment shared,” and the fund aims to embody that spirit. “Austin would’ve loved knowing he was helping someone else achieve their dreams,” Meghan said. “It’s how we’ll keep him with us.”

The Frisco community has rallied around the Metcalfs, organizing fundraisers, meal trains, and prayer gatherings. Posts on X have captured the outpouring of support, with hashtags like #JusticeForAustin and #ForeverMetcalf gaining traction. “Austin was a peacemaker, a leader, a friend,” wrote @FriscoFootballFan. “His loss hurts us all. Praying for his family and for justice.”

The Path to Justice

The legal proceedings against Karmelo Anthony are ongoing, with the Collin County District Attorney’s office preparing to present the case to a grand jury by the end of June. The outcome will determine whether the case proceeds to trial. Anthony’s claim of self-defense has been met with skepticism, particularly given the absence of evidence suggesting Austin posed a threat. “The presence of an unused pocketknife doesn’t justify this,” said attorney Philip Linder. “The prosecution will likely focus on the proportionality of the response and the circumstances leading up to the stabbing.”

The Metcalf family has expressed a desire for justice while emphasizing their focus on healing. “We trust the legal system to do its job,” Jeff said. “But no outcome will bring Austin back. We’re trying to focus on celebrating his life and supporting Hunter through this.” Hunter, who plans to continue playing football in honor of his brother, has vowed to keep Austin’s memory alive. “Every time I step on the field, it’s for him,” he said. “He’ll always be with me.”

Moving Forward in Grief

As Frisco prepares to say goodbye to Austin Metcalf, the community is united in its grief and determination to prevent future tragedies. The image of a vibrant young man, clutching an unused pocketknife that symbolized family and tradition, has become a powerful symbol of the senselessness of his death. For the Metcalf family, the road ahead is one of healing, faith, and honoring a life cut tragically short.

“Austin didn’t deserve this,” Meghan said, her words echoing the sentiments of a grieving community. “But we’ll make sure his light keeps shining. We’ll make sure he’s never forgotten.” As Frisco gathers to mourn and celebrate Austin’s life, they do so with a commitment to his legacy—one of love, leadership, and unbreakable spirit.