The father of a 17-year-old student who was fatally stabbed during a high school track meet is pleading with school officials to reconsider awarding a diploma to the teen accused of his son’s killing.
Austin Metcalf died on April 2 after being stabbed in the heart during a confrontation at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas, where he was attending a track and field event with his younger brother, Hunter.
Authorities say the fatal incident stemmed from a dispute over seating in the stands. Eighteen-year-old Karmelo Anthony has been charged with Austin’s death.
According to police, emergency services responded to the scene around 10 a.m., but despite administering CPR and a blood transfusion.
Austin succumbed to his injuries at the scene—reportedly in his brother’s arms. Anthony was arrested and later released on house arrest pending trial.
Now, Austin’s father, Jeffrey Metcalf, has filed a formal complaint with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) after learning that Centennial High School intends to grant Anthony his diploma.
Dominque Alexander, a spokesperson for Anthony, confirmed to The Daily Mail that the school has made accommodations for Anthony to graduate early while remaining under house arrest.
“They were literally trying to expel him—period,” Alexander said, noting that Anthony is not expected to participate in the school’s formal graduation ceremony.
Frisco Independent School District has not yet commented publicly on the decision. The situation has sparked emotional debate in the community.
Last month, Metcalf attended a press conference organized by Anthony’s family, who maintain that their son acted in self-defense.
Anthony’s mother, Kala Hayes, spoke out against what she called “lies and false accusations” made against her family, saying those claims had endangered them.
Metcalf, who was escorted from the event by police, later told The New York Post that he felt “disrespected” and had hoped for a moment of unity.
“They should have pulled me up and said, ‘We are so sorry. Our condolences,’” he said. “The only thing I would have said was, ‘Okay, can we pray together and show the world we’re united?’”
As the case moves forward, Metcalf continues to seek justice for his son and is urging school officials to reconsider decisions that he feels could send the wrong message to grieving families and the community.
