Teen killer lives in a $900k gated community home after crying poor to get out of jail and receiving $400k by crowdfunding.

In the quiet, affluent suburb of Frisco, Texas, a shocking incident at a high school track meet has left a community grappling with grief, fear, and questions about justice. On April 2, 2025, a 17-year-old student-athlete, Austin Metcalf, was fatally stabbed in the chest during an altercation at Kuykendall Stadium. The accused, Karmelo Anthony, also 17, now resides under house arrest in a luxurious gated community, sparking heated debates over privilege, self-defense, and the legal system's handling of violent crime. As deliveries pile up at Anthony's family's $900,000 rental home and a fundraiser amasses hundreds of thousands of dollars, neighbors and the public are left questioning the fairness of his release and the narrative surrounding the case.

The tragedy unfolded during a routine track and field championship hosted by the Frisco Independent School District. According to police reports, the confrontation began when Metcalf, a junior at Memorial High School, asked Anthony, a student at Centennial High School, to leave a tent designated for his team. Witnesses say the verbal dispute escalated quickly. Anthony, who was not a member of Metcalf's team, allegedly pulled a knife from his bag and stabbed Metcalf once in the chest. Despite efforts by first responders and Metcalf's twin brother, Hunter, to save him, the young athlete died at a nearby hospital. The incident, witnessed by dozens of students and parents, sent shockwaves through Frisco, a city of approximately 207,000 known for its low crime rate and family-friendly reputation.

Anthony was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, initially held on a $1 million bond at the Collin County Jail. On April 14, 2025, Judge Angela Tucker reduced the bond to $250,000, citing Anthony's lack of prior criminal history and his family's claims of financial hardship. The decision allowed Anthony to return to his family's rented home in the exclusive Richwoods neighborhood, where he now awaits trial under strict conditions, including an ankle monitor and constant parental supervision. However, the optics of his release have fueled public outrage. The Anthony family's residence, valued at $900,000 with an estimated monthly rent of $3,500, and their recent purchase of a new vehicle, as noted by neighbors, contrast sharply with their courtroom assertions of limited means. Furthermore, a GiveSendGo fundraiser for Anthony's legal defense has raised over $439,000, raising questions about the allocation of these funds.

Frisco, a city where the median household income is $144,567 (well above the national average of $81,060), prides itself on safety, with a violent crime rate of just 1.8 incidents per 1,000 residents compared to the national average of 4.0. The Richwoods community, with its manicured lawns and high-end homes, is emblematic of this prosperity. Yet, residents now express unease. One neighbor, speaking anonymously to reporters, voiced concerns about Anthony's presence, stating that the gated community was chosen for its security, not to house someone accused of such a violent act. Another resident questioned why a teenager would carry a knife to a school event, a sentiment echoed across social media platforms where the case has ignited fierce debates. Posts on X highlight public frustration, with some users alleging premeditation based on unverified claims that Anthony had previously been suspended for bringing a knife to school.

The case has also taken on a racial dimension, as Anthony is Black and Metcalf was White, prompting comparisons to high-profile cases like that of Kyle Rittenhouse. Social media discussions have oscillated between accusations of racial bias in the justice system and assertions that the incident was not racially motivated, with Metcalf's father publicly denying such claims. The Dallas-based Next Generation Action Network, advocating for Anthony, has framed the reduced bond as a step toward fairness, emphasizing the teen's right to a defense. Meanwhile, prosecutors argue that the stabbing was a "brutal murder," pointing to a prior school incident involving Anthony, though details remain scarce.

Statistically, knife-related crimes among youth are a growing concern in the United States. According to the FBI's 2023 Uniform Crime Report, aggravated assaults involving knives or cutting instruments accounted for 17% of violent crimes reported nationwide. In Texas, where self-defense laws are robust, the burden of proof lies heavily on defendants claiming they acted to protect themselves. Anthony's legal team, led by attorney Mike Howard, has signaled a self-defense argument, noting that Metcalf allegedly initiated physical contact. However, witnesses and police reports suggest Anthony's response was disproportionate, a point prosecutors are likely to emphasize in court.

The community's response has been marked by grief and division. Memorial High School, where Metcalf was a beloved track star, held a vigil attended by over 500 students, parents, and faculty. Centennial High School, where Anthony was a football team captain, has faced scrutiny over its handling of student conduct, though no official statements have linked the incident to school policies. The Anthony family, citing threats, plans to relocate, with some fundraiser proceeds reportedly earmarked for security and moving costs. This decision has done little to quell neighbors' fears, many of whom argue that Anthony's presence undermines the safety of their community.

As the trial approaches, Frisco remains on edge. The case underscores broader issues of youth violence, access to weapons, and the complexities of the justice system in high-profile cases. For now, the image of delivery trucks arriving at a $900,000 home while a grieving family mourns a lost son encapsulates the stark divide in this suburban tragedy. Whether Anthony's self-defense claim will hold in court or if justice will be served for Austin Metcalf remains to be seen, but the wounds left by April 2, 2025, are far from healed.