Karmelo Anthony-Austin Metcalf Case: Elon Musk's Tweet Reignites Demand for Video Release
The case surrounding the death of Austin Metcalf, who was fatally stabbed at a Frisco ISD track meet in April, has resurfaced with renewed vigor. A tweet from Elon Musk demanding the release of surveillance video of the incident has amplified public pressure on authorities.
The Incident and the Charges
Karmelo Anthony, 18, faces a first-degree murder charge for allegedly stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf on April 2nd at Kuykendall Stadium during a track meet. According to police reports, the altercation arose after Metcalf asked Anthony to move from the Memorial High School team tent. Anthony allegedly responded with a threat before Metcalf pushed him. Witnesses state Anthony then retrieved a knife from his bag and stabbed Metcalf.
Anthony's lawyer, Mike Howard, maintains that his client acted in self-defense. If convicted, Anthony could face a sentence ranging from 5 to 99 years, or even life in prison. He was initially held on a $1 million bond, which was later reduced to $250,000, leading to his release to home confinement. His trial is scheduled for June 1, 2026.
The Controversy Over the Video
The Frisco Independent School District allowed select reporters to view the surveillance footage in June but has refused to release it publicly, citing student privacy and school security concerns. Reporters who viewed the video described it as distant and grainy, obscuring faces and the actual stabbing. Despite this, critics argue that withholding the footage fuels speculation and distrust. Elon Musk's recent tweet calling for the video's release has intensified the demand for transparency.
"Release the video"
Legal Perspectives and Public Reaction
Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis has urged patience, emphasizing the need for a thorough and principled approach to justice in Metcalf's case. While a gag order has been issued, public interest remains high. A GiveSendGo campaign for Anthony's family has raised over $500,000, while Metcalf's father, Jeff Metcalf, has publicly stated that the indictment is a necessary step toward justice, although it will not bring his son back. The case has drawn comparisons to the recent release of surveillance video in the Charlotte train attack where Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, was fatally stabbed. This contrast has only increased the pressure to release the video of the Metcalf stabbing.
