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A Texas teenager accused in the stabbing death of a fellow high school student at a track meet told police he acted in self-defense, per Atlanta Black Star.
The fatal stabbing unfolded on Wednesday (April 2) at the UIL District 11-5A track meet held at Kuykendall Stadium, just north of Dallas.
According to police, Austin Metcalf, a 17-year-old student at Memorial High School, confronted Karmelo Anthony, 16, a Centennial High School student, asking him to move from under his team's tent at the track meet.
The confrontation prompted Anthony to allegedly threaten Metcalf.
"Touch me and see what happens," Anthony told Metcalf, according to witnesses.
Metcalf then touched Anthony and allegedly forced him out of the tent before the 16-year-old pulled a knife out of his bag and stabbed the victim in his chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Anthony was arrested moments after the incident and is currently being held in Collin County Jail on a $1 million bond.
"I was protecting myself," Anthony reportedly told an officer after the stabbing.
In the aftermath of Metcalf's death, Anthony's relatives backed up his claim, saying he was defending himself against "violent aggressors."
Kevin Hayes, one of Anthony's loved ones, described him as a “respectful, well-manned young man,” “a 4.0 student with multiple college offers,” and a “kid with zero criminal history.” Hayes also alleged that the victim and his twin brother were bullies who tried to jump Anthony and took his “belongings, broke his phone, and stomped on it.”
Attorney Mike Howard said proving self-defense could be difficult in Anthony's case.
“A person claiming self-defense cannot provoke the incident and then claim self-defense when they act,” Howard said. “It becomes a fact question that’s really going to come down to what the witnesses say happened.”
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