‘Free’ Karmelo: Supporters Of Austin Metcalf’s Accused Killer Gather Outside Courthouse

The trial of accused murderer Karmelo Anthony kicked off this week in Collin County, Texas, drawing supporters of the 19-year-old defendant who gathered outside the courthouse and chanted for his “freedom.”

Anthony is facing life in prison after allegedly fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track event in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025. The case has garnered nationwide attention, including scrutiny of legacy media coverage surrounding the killing, which routinely highlights and escalates white-on-black incidents. In this case, the accused perp, Anthony, is black, and the victim, Metcalf, is white.

“I declare, I decree, Karmelo Anthony is free,” was chanted by Anthony supporters who gathered outside the courthouse on Monday, when jury selection started for the trial. About a dozen people in Karmelo Anthony T-shirts participated in the demonstration, according to video footage captured by The Dallas Morning News.

Anthony has also raked in more than $600,000 from an online fundraiser that was started in the wake of the killing. Some people who contributed to the fundraiser added racially-charged comments of support.

I haven’t moved on from the Karmelo Anthony fundraiser. They donated half a million as a reward for killing a white kid. Zero evidence or reason to think it was “self defense,” and they didn’t care. It was a reward for killing a white kid. I’ll never forget it. Neither should you

— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) June 1, 2026

According to eyewitness accounts, the confrontation began when Metcalf told Anthony to leave his team’s tented area during the track event. It’s unclear if Metcalf touched Anthony at all before the stabbing. Witnesses told investigators that Anthony then pulled out a knife, threatened Metcalf, and stabbed him. Metcalf later died in his twin brother’s arms.

Anthony admitted to police that he stabbed Metcalf, reportedly telling officers, “I’m not alleged, I did it.”

Jeff Metcalf, Austin’s father, said after Anthony was indicted last year that he’s confident justice will be served.

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“I am pleased that we are moving forward,” he said in a statement. “With the first-degree murder indictment, it now goes into the court system. I fully believe that justice will be served for Austin Metcalf. I look forward to the forthcoming trial. But it will never bring my son back.”

Anthony is being tried as an adult and facing a first-degree murder charge. His defense team is expected to claim he acted in self-defense when he stabbed Metcalf.