Fundraiser For Teen Accused Of Fatal Stabbing Raises $350K

A fundraiser for Karmelo Anthony, the 17-year-old Texas teen accused of fatally stabbing fellow student Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet, has now raised over $350,000—an amount that has sparked intense debate and national attention.

The fatal incident occurred on April 2 at Frisco ISD’s Kuykendall Stadium during the UIL District 11-5A championship meet. According to police reports, Anthony stabbed Metcalf in the chest during a heated altercation and later confessed to the act, claiming he acted in self-defense. Witnesses say the dispute began over seating, with Metcalf telling Anthony he was in the wrong place. After a verbal exchange, Anthony allegedly warned Metcalf not to touch him before delivering the fatal blow.

As of April 11, a fundraiser for Anthony hosted on the Christian crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo had amassed $351,055 out of its $450,000 goal, according to local outlet WFAA. The page, reportedly created by Anthony’s family, asserts that “the narrative being spread is false, unjust, and harmful,” and expresses deep gratitude for the public’s support, emphasizing the family’s Christian faith during what they call a “trying period.”

The campaign’s rapid financial success has ignited controversy, drawing sharp criticism from the public and prompting GiveSendGo co-founder Jacob Wells to address the backlash. “People are mad about our stance to allow Karmelo Anthony’s family a campaign on GiveSendGo, and I get it, it is a horrible situation,” Wells wrote on X. He added that while some are calling for a boycott, the platform remains committed to hosting legal fundraising efforts regardless of public sentiment, noting that other platforms like GoFundMe would not allow such a campaign under their terms.

Indeed, GoFundMe explicitly prohibits raising funds for legal defense in cases involving violent crimes. The GiveSendGo campaign is intended to support Anthony’s legal expenses as his defense team prepares for a bond hearing scheduled for April 14, where they are expected to seek a reduction from the current $1 million bond.

Meanwhile, the family of Austin Metcalf continues to grieve. They have firmly rejected any claims that Austin was bullying Anthony, saying the two had never even met prior to the incident. In contrast to the support for Anthony, Metcalf’s own fundraiser—launched to cover funeral expenses and support the grieving family—has garnered nearly $250,000 in donations.

The case has ignited broader questions about race relations, violence, and the role of public fundraising in legal cases. As the families navigate this tragedy, the public remains deeply divided over whether justice is truly being served.

Some observers have raised doubts about Karmelo Anthony’s self-defense claim, suggesting that it may have been a strategic move rather than a genuine response to fear for his life. Critics argue that the argument of self-defense was likely a post-incident justification made with the hope of shielding him from legal consequences. Given that the altercation reportedly started over a seating dispute, many question whether the stabbing was truly a life-threatening situation. Instead, some believe Anthony may have escalated the conflict and later resorted to claiming self-defense as a way to avoid facing murder charges. Legal experts suggest that in situations like this, where the confrontation was arguably sparked by a minor disagreement, self-defense claims are often closely scrutinized to determine whether the response was proportional or a result of heightened aggression. The validity of this defense will ultimately be determined in court, but it has added another layer of complexity to the case.

As news of the fundraiser spread, public reaction was mixed. Supporters of Anthony’s campaign argue that bullying played a role in the deadly incident, though it’s unclear what evidence led them to this conclusion. Some comments on the fundraiser page express sympathy for Anthony. One commenter wrote, “Good luck young man. Bullying must stop!!” Another added, “Let this be a message to all bullies. Don’t start no stuff, won’t be no stuff.”

Anthony’s father defended his son, calling him a hardworking student with a 3.7 GPA who was not the aggressor in the situation. “He’s a good kid. He works two jobs. He’s an A student,” the father said. “Words can’t explain how both families have been affected by this tragedy,” he concluded.

While Anthony’s supporters continue to raise funds for his defense, Metcalf’s family remains focused on healing and honoring their son’s memory.

A local pizzeria is also participating in the fundraising efforts by donating a portion of their sales on April 14 to Metcalf’s family.

READ NEXT: Conservative Politician Stabbed In Suspected Terror Attack – Assailant Neutralized