A spokesperson for the family of Karmelo Anthony, the 17-year-old charged with the murder of teen athlete Austin Metcalf at a track event last week, has shut down a conspiracy theory suggesting the two boys knew each other prior to the fatal encounter.
Metcalf died in his twin brother’s arms on April 2 after being stabbed in the heart following an argument over seating at the aforementioned event. Reports claim that the high school football star approached Anthony to ask him to move after the latter had seated himself under Frisco Memorial High School’s tent in the stands at Kuykendall Stadium, Frisco, Texas.
Austin’s twin brother, Hunter, who was also there, told WFAA: “And my brother stepped in and said, ‘You need to move. And he’s like, ‘Make me move.’”
Anthony, it’s alleged, then grabbed up his backpack and pulled out a knife. He proceeded to stab Austin in the chest.
In an age dominated by social media speculation, rumors and unverified claims about what truly happened soon spread like wildfire.
A wave of fraudulent social media accounts pretending to be the local police chief and the medical examiner’s office surfaced, spreading misinformation about the circumstances surrounding Metcalf’s murder.
One misleading post, impersonating the Frisco police chief, falsely suggested that Metcalf was killed after allegedly overpowering Anthony in what was described as ”mutual combat.”
Other rumors suggested that the two boys had history prior to their fateful altercation, though a new statement released by a spokesperson for Anthony’s family firmly denies this idea.
Dominique Alexander, speaking on behalf of Anthony’s family, first and foremost denied that Anthony had been bullied by Metcalf before the two teenager’s encountered one another on April 2.
“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, as per the Daily Mail.
At a press conference earlier this week he added: “Karmelo Anthony has a right to a fair trial, unbiased and removed of racial hate and bigotry.”
Alexander also added that Anthony’s family members can’t currently leave their home after receiving “graphic and racist threats”.
The update came after a wave of online supporters in Anthony’s corner – lacking evidence, we may add – claimed that there was “more to the story” than the authorities were letting on.
For his part, Anthony didn’t deny stabbing Metcalf, stating, “It’s not alleged, I did it,” following his arrest. He claims he acted in self-defense. Meanwhile, a donation page for the 17-year-old has raised more than $280,000 for his legal defense.
