Body Camera Footage Released Following Conviction in Fatal High School Track Meet Stabbing

Recently released police body camera footage has provided a closer look at the moments immediately following the arrest of Karmelo Anthony, the Texas teenager who was later convicted of murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of fellow student Austin Metcalf. The video, which emerged after the conclusion of Anthony’s trial, has drawn renewed public attention to a case that generated significant discussion across the country.

The footage was made public by the Associated Press after a jury found Anthony guilty of murder on June 9. The conviction followed months of legal proceedings stemming from a violent confrontation that occurred during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025.

The incident involved two 17-year-old students, Anthony and Metcalf, whose encounter ended in tragedy. According to investigators, the two teenagers had never met before the day of the altercation.

The body camera video lasts approximately three minutes and captures Anthony shortly after police officers detained him at the scene. In the footage, Anthony is seen wearing handcuffs while officers conduct a search of his pockets and gather information related to the incident.

During the interaction, an officer refers to Anthony as the suspected individual involved in the stabbing. As officers escort him away from the area, Anthony appears visibly emotional and can be heard speaking through tears.

In one of the most notable moments shown in the footage, Anthony says, “He put his hands on me. I told him not to, but he put his hands on me.”

The statement appears consistent with Anthony’s later legal defense, in which he argued that he acted in self-defense during the confrontation.

Throughout the recording, Anthony remains cooperative with law enforcement officers. When asked questions, he repeatedly responds respectfully with phrases such as “yes sir” and “no ma’am.” The footage concludes with an officer obtaining Anthony’s personal information while he sits in the back seat of a Frisco Police Department vehicle.

The release of the video has reignited discussion surrounding the circumstances that led to the deadly encounter.

According to court documents and investigative reports, the incident occurred during a high school track and field event attended by students from multiple schools. Witnesses told authorities that Anthony had been sitting beneath a tent designated for another group when Metcalf approached him and requested that he move.

Investigators later stated that a disagreement followed.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case, witnesses reported hearing Anthony issue a warning during the argument. The affidavit stated that Anthony allegedly told Metcalf, “Touch me and see what happens.”

Authorities said the situation escalated when Metcalf attempted to physically move Anthony from the tent area. Investigators alleged that Anthony then reached into his bag, removed a knife, and stabbed Metcalf in the chest.

Following the stabbing, Anthony reportedly fled from the immediate area before being located and detained by police officers.

Metcalf suffered a severe chest wound and later died from his injuries. The incident shocked the local community and quickly became a major news story due to the ages of those involved and the setting in which the violence occurred.

After officers located Anthony, he reportedly told one of the arresting officers that he had been acting to protect himself. According to the affidavit, Anthony stated, “I was protecting myself.”

That claim eventually became the foundation of his defense during the criminal trial.

Defense attorneys argued that Anthony believed he was facing a physical threat and responded out of fear for his own safety. Prosecutors, however, maintained that the use of deadly force was not justified under the circumstances.

During the trial, the prosecution argued that the confrontation did not meet the legal standard required for self-defense. Prosecutors contended that Anthony’s actions escalated a relatively minor dispute into a deadly encounter.

The case became the subject of intense public attention long before the trial began. In addition to questions regarding self-defense laws, the proceedings also sparked debate over issues involving race and jury selection.

Anthony is Black, while Metcalf was White. Before the trial, controversy emerged after the final jury did not include any Black jurors. The composition of the jury prompted criticism and discussion among some community members and observers who questioned whether the panel adequately reflected the diversity of the population.

Despite those concerns, prosecutors repeatedly emphasized that the case should be evaluated based solely on the facts and evidence presented in court.

During opening statements, prosecutor Bill Wirskye addressed the issue directly. He argued that race was not a factor in determining Anthony’s guilt or innocence.

According to reports, Wirskye told jurors that the case was not about racial issues but rather about whether the killing could legally be considered self-defense.

He maintained that the evidence showed the stabbing was unjustified and argued that the actions taken by Anthony constituted murder rather than lawful self-protection.

Throughout the trial, jurors heard testimony from witnesses, law enforcement officers, and other individuals connected to the case. They reviewed physical evidence, examined investigative findings, and considered competing interpretations of the events leading up to the fatal confrontation.

Ultimately, the jury sided with the prosecution’s argument and returned a guilty verdict.

Following the conviction, the court moved to the sentencing phase, during which members of Metcalf’s family had an opportunity to address the court and describe the impact of their loss.

One of the most emotional moments came when Metcalf’s mother, Meghan Metcalf, spoke about her son.

She described Austin as a caring young man who often looked out for others. According to her remarks, he was known among family and friends as someone who sought to resolve conflicts peacefully and protect those around him.

During her statement, she reflected on the profound emotional loss caused by his death and the future that was taken away from him.

She expressed that her son’s life had been cut short just as he was beginning to pursue his dreams and discover his place in the world.

Her comments underscored the devastating impact the tragedy had on the Metcalf family and highlighted the personal toll that extended far beyond the courtroom proceedings.

Following the sentencing hearing, the judge imposed a prison sentence of 35 years on Anthony.

Under Texas law, he will become eligible for parole after serving half of that sentence. Eligibility for parole does not guarantee release but allows the possibility of review at a future date.

The verdict and sentence brought a degree of legal closure to a case that had deeply affected students, parents, educators, and community members throughout Texas and beyond.

Nevertheless, the release of the body camera footage has ensured that public discussion surrounding the incident continues. For some observers, the video offers insight into Anthony’s immediate reactions after the stabbing. For others, it serves as a reminder of the tragic consequences that can arise when conflicts escalate unexpectedly.

The case remains a powerful example of how a brief confrontation between two teenagers can alter multiple lives forever. While the criminal proceedings have concluded, the emotional impact on the families involved, as well as the broader community, is likely to endure for years to come.