A high school track athlete has died tragically at a track meet Wednesday morning after he was stabbed by a fellow student. Police were called to David Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas around ten in the morning, responding to reports of an altercation between two students.
The victim, 17-year-old Austin Metcalf was a junior at Memorial High School who competed in track and football. First responders attempted life-saving measures, but he was pronounced dead as a result of his injuries.
The assailant, 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony was arrested on Wednesday afternoon. He is facing charges of murder and according to The Dallas Morning News, has no set bail. In Texas, “Murder is a first-degree felony punishable with life in prison or confinement for five to 99 years.”
Wednesday’s track meet was a busy scene as eight schools were competing in the District 11-5A meet when the incident occurred. In all the chaos, many are left wondering what could have caused the brutal attack.
Metcalf’s father told NBC News, “His son was killed when another student armed with a knife got upset after being told he was in the wrong spot.”
“His son didn’t know the student who attacked him,” according to Metcalf’s father. “Austin’s twin brother, Hunter, was nearby when the confrontation took place and not only saw his brother get stabbed but tried to stop the bleeding.”
The police, however, have not made an official statement regarding where or how the stabbing took place. They investigated the area around the stands and near the track. Authorities cleared the stadium quickly and secured the area following the attack.
Despite a lack of confirmation from police, Metcalf’s father is insistent, “He brought a knife to a track meet and he murdered my son by stabbing him in the heart. The guy was in the wrong place and they asked him to move and he bowed up. This is murder.”
The Frisco Independent School District released a statement, sharing the Metcalf family’s grief and providing information to students on grief counselors who will be present on campus to support anyone who needs it.
