Austin Metcalf conspiracy theory destroyed by spokesman for killer boy whose family can no longer go outside
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A young athlete stabbed to death at a Texas track meet did not know his 17 year-old killer, a spokesman for the killer's family said after conspiracy theories suggested he'd previously been bullied by his victim.
Austin Metcalf was killed by Karmelo Anthony, 17, at the Kuykendall Stadium last week in Frisco in a tragedy that has divided the community and nation at large.
Metcalf, a star athlete, bled to death in his twin brother Hunter's arms.
Dominique Alexander, a spokesman for Anthony, was forced to deny that Anthony had been bullied by Metcalf before the fatal confrontation at the match.
'The disinformation that is going online is hurting this case and it has to stop. As we know right now, Austin Metcalf and Karmelo Anthony did not know each other,' said Alexander, who works with Next Generation Action Network (NGAN).
'Karmelo Anthony has a right to a fair trial, unbiased and removed of racial hate and bigotry,' he added at a press conference held Tuesday.
The spokesman also said the Anthony family can't leave their home after their address was leaked online, leading to 'graphic and racist threats.'
They have been sent images of 'black children with knives stuck in their head', Alexander said.
His update came after some of Anthony's online supporters claimed 'there was more to the story' of the stabbing and said without evidence the teen had been bullied.
A donation page for Anthony has received more than $280,000 for his legal defense.
That's almost as much as the $310,000 raised by the main donation page for Austin's family.
Frisco authorities were forced to issued multiple statements denying unfounded rumors regarding Metcalf's killing, including a viral post that falsely claimed Metcalf died from an 'MDMA drug overdose.'
'The Frisco Police Department is aware of an image circulating on social media purporting to be a report from the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office,' police said in a statement Friday. 'At this time, the report has NOT been released. Therefore, any information currently found online is FALSE.'
'Beware of those taking to social media to deliberately spread misinformation, hate, fear and division,' Shilson said, in reference to posts shared online highlighting that Metcalf is white and Anthony is black.
'Violence cannot be the go-to means that our young people use as their only way to resolve disputes. We must have conversations about what guides their decisions and motivations,' the chief added.
Chief Shilson said his department will investigate the source of the misinformation under third-degree felony charges of impersonation, as reported by Click 2 Houston.
Anthony stabbed Metcalf in the heart, killing him, after Metcalf told him he was sitting in the wrong chair at the match between their two schools, according to police.
Anthony's lawyers have said they will ask for the murder charge against him to be downgraded, claiming he knifed Metcalf in self-defense.
An arrest report says a confrontation between the two star football players began when Metcalf told Anthony he was sitting under another team's pop-up tent and told him to move.
The two students from different high schools began fighting before Anthony unzipped his bag and reached in, telling Metcalf: 'Touch me and see what happens.'
The report says Metcalf then 'grabbed Anthony to tell him to move and Anthony pulled out ... a black knife and stabbed Austin once in the chest.'
Anthony reportedly ran away before being arrested by responding officers.
He had apparently told a school resource officer: 'I was protecting myself,' and, 'He put his hands on me.'
Anthony also asked an officer if what he did could be considered self-defense and asked whether the victim was going to be OK, per police.
He was charged with murder and faces 5 to 99 years in prison if convicted.
Metcalf's twin brother, Hunter, was by his side and held him in his arms as he died.
'I tried to whip around as fast as I could,' a heartbroken Hunter told WFAA. 'I looked at my brother and I’m not going to talk about the rest. I tried to help him.'
Metcalf, a junior, was a star football player at Frisco's Memorial High School and planned to be a college athlete. A GoFundMe set up for him says he was recently voted Most Valuable Player and had a 4.0 GPA at school.
Anthony, a senior, is also a star for the Centennial high school football team.
His attorney, Deric Walpole spoke to local NBC affiliate KXAS-TV outside the Colin County Jail in McKinney Texas on Friday and revealed that Anthony is claiming self-defense in the alleged murder.
'I know that my client said it was self-defense. I don't have any reason to disbelieve that, but I need to develop facts, talk to people, and figure out what's going on before I make any statements about what I think happened,' Walpole said.
'I don't have any reason to think it wasn't self-defense at this time.'
Walpole added that he only had a few hours to speak with Anthony but confirmed he'd be requesting a bond hearing next week.
