A teen was killed at a track meet. The boy accused of his death raised $600,000 and moved into a mansion.

Supporters raised $600,000 to help a Texas teen pay bail and move his family into a gated mansion before his murder trial.

A high school track meet should be a place of fun and sports. Instead, a fight over a seat ended a young life and split a town over race and money.

WHAT HAPPENED

On April 2, 2025, students gathered for a track meet at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Police say Karmelo Anthony, then 17, sat in a tent meant for a rival team. Austin Metcalf, a star player for the rival school, asked him to leave.

The argument turned physical. Police say Anthony told Metcalf not to touch him, then pulled a knife from his bag and stabbed Metcalf in the chest. Metcalf died in the arms of his twin brother, Hunter.

Anthony fled but was later caught and charged with first-degree murder. His family started a campaign on GiveSendGo to raise money. They raised $600,000, paid his $250,000 bail, and moved into a $900,000 gated home.

What the money and evidence shows

• $600,000 raised by Karmelo Anthony's family on a donation website.
• $250,000 paid to secure Anthony's release from jail on bail.
• $900,000 value of the gated home where Anthony's family moved.
• 1 knife used in the chest stabbing at Kuykendall Stadium.
• 5 to 99 years in prison if Anthony is found guilty of first-degree murder.

THE BIGGER QUESTION

How did a tragic school fight turn into a high-priced culture war? The fundraising page asked people to fight racism. This brought in cash from across the country.

We must ask if online fundraising is turning trials into cash contests. Should a family be able to move into a mansion while awaiting a murder trial? These are tough questions with no easy answers.

THE OTHER SIDE

Anthony's lawyers argue that he acted in self-defense. They plan to show the jury why he had a knife at school and say he had to defend himself.

This self-defense argument looks hard to prove because police say Anthony was the only one with a weapon.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW

Jury selection starts Monday morning. Since Anthony was 17 at the time of the stabbing, he cannot get the death penalty. But if he is found guilty, he faces up to 99 years in prison.

WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW

Why did Karmelo Anthony have a knife in his bag at a school sports event?

• Did the two teens know each other or have issues before that day?
• How will the jury view the $600,000 raised and the family's move to a gated mansion?