A tragic stabbing at a Texas high school track meet has sparked heated debate on social media, with many TikTok users claiming the victim “deserved it.” On April 2, 17-year-old Austin Metcalf was stabbed to death during an altercation with Karmelo Anthony, another student who allegedly argued he acted in self-defense.
– : Anthony told police “I was protecting myself” and asked officers if the stabbing could be considered self-defense during his arrest. Supporters on TikTok highlight witness accounts that Metcalf pushed Anthony first.
– : Viral posts show Metcalf posing with hunting rifles, with users calling him a “thug” who “f—ed around and found out”. A “Justice For Karmelo” GoFundMe raised over $50k, claiming Anthony was bullied by the Metcalf twins.
– : Conservative commentators argue the case shows:
– Weaponization of victim status: Critics claim activists ignore the victim’s background to push narratives about racial violence
– School safety failures: Questions about why Anthony brought a knife to school event
– Parental responsibility: Debates over whether either teen’s family could have prevented the tragedy
The Metcalf family has pleaded for privacy while preparing funeral arrangements, with Austin’s mother calling the TikTok commentary “heartless victim-blaming”. Frisco ISD has increased security for rescheduled track meets. Anthony remains jailed on $1 million bond as prosecutors prepare murder charges.
