Karmelo Anthony Update: Two Lives Lost in Frisco — And the Truth About First-Degree Murder

By Brandon Tatum

Earlier this spring, a tragic event shook a community in Frisco, Texas — a school track meet that ended in the death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. It was a senseless act of violence that never should’ve happened. Now, a grand jury has indicted 18-year-old Karmelo Anthony for first-degree murder.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t just some overhyped charge. First-degree murder is the most serious criminal charge you can face under the law. It requires proof of premeditation — that the act was intentional, thought-out, and not a reaction in the heat of the moment. As a former police officer, I’ve seen the difference. And based on what we know, this charge wasn’t political. It wasn’t about race. It was about the facts.

What Really Happened?

Reports say there was no scuffle before the stabbing. No punches thrown. No attack to defend against. Just words exchanged. And then Karmelo reportedly said, “Touch me and see what happens.” Moments later, Austin was fatally stabbed in the heart.

That statement alone — “Touch me and see what happens” — shows intent. It shows forethought. Karmelo knew he had a knife in his backpack. He knew he would use it if things escalated. That’s premeditation. And that’s why the grand jury did the right thing.

Self-Defense? Let’s Talk About That

A lot of people want to jump straight to “self-defense.” But self-defense isn’t a get-out-of-jail-free card. Under the law, your response must be proportional to the threat. That means you have to believe you’re facing serious bodily harm or death. Not just someone talking tough or stepping into your space.

There’s no evidence that Austin posed that kind of threat. He didn’t have a weapon. He didn’t attack Karmelo. And even if you’re feeling “disrespected,” that doesn’t give you the legal right to use deadly force, especially not at a high school track meet.

Let’s Be Honest About the Environment

Frisco isn’t the kind of place where you expect to see violence like this. It’s one of the most affluent areas in Texas — think of it like Scottsdale, AZ, or Bellevue, WA. It’s a place where families live to escape this kind of chaos. So why did a teenager show up to a school event with a knife in his bag?

We have to be honest with ourselves about the culture we’re creating. When young men feel like they have to carry weapons into safe spaces — not for survival, but for pride or power — we’re failing them. We’re telling them violence is strength. It’s not. It’s a weakness, and it destroys lives.

Two Families Destroyed

No one wins here. Austin is gone. Karmelo may never see freedom again. Two families were shattered. One boy was buried. Another boy is potentially behind bars for life. All because of a moment of ego and a bad decision that could’ve been avoided.

Some folks are saying, “They’re only charging him because he’s black.” Let me say this clearly — the facts led to the indictment, not the color of his skin. This is about justice, not identity politics.

I don’t celebrate this indictment. I don’t celebrate the loss of either young man’s future. But I do stand for truth, law, and order. And when a crime like this happens, it has to be treated with the full weight of the law — no exceptions, no excuses.

Justice Isn’t About Emotion. It’s About Truth.

We live in a time where too many people want to justify wrong behavior with emotional arguments. But we can’t run a society that way. Justice is blind for a reason — it has to be based on evidence, not feelings. And if we start letting our emotions override facts, we’ll destroy the very system that keeps us safe.

I’ll end with this — pray for both families. Pray for justice to be done. But don’t lose sight of what’s right. We cannot let tragic outcomes cloud our understanding of the law. If we do, we risk creating more tragedy in the name of compassion.

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Brandon Tatum
Former Police Officer | Host of The Officer Tatum Show
Join me each week as I speak truth without fear.