The bereaved twin of an aspiring collegiate football star fatally stabbed at a track meet has described his brother as a 'peacemaker' with a 'good heart'.
On Wednesday (April 2), police said 17-year-old Austin Metcalf was stabbed to death amid a reported row at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
Despite first responders administrating 'lifesaving measures', the Frisco ISD’s Memorial High School student was pronounced dead.
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It’s understood the budding sportsman was taking part in a track and field championship alongside his twin brother, Hunter Metcalf, 17.
According to Hunter, Austin and another boy, who has been identified as 17-year-old Centennial High School senior Karmelo Anthony, became embroiled in a row allegedly due to seating arrangements.
Hunter claims Karmelo was sitting in the wrong area and that he’d been informed of such by his twin.
According to ABC7, the student has since been charged with Austin’s murder, with police reporting he allegedly stabbed the football player in the chest.
“He was a good kid… He has a good heart, everyone around you knows he’s a great kid. Just one mistake from that dude and [he] just took my brother,” Hunter said in an interview with WFAA.
“He didn’t deserve it. No one deserves a loss from a family like that.”
Hunter, who claims his brother was his ‘best friend’ and a ‘peacemaker’, explained the alleged perpetrator was sitting under their team tent at the Kuykendall Stadium.
He said: “We asked him to move. He started getting aggressive and talking reckless and my brother stepped in and said ‘You need to move’.
“I tried to whip around as fast as I could but I didn’t see the stab. I looked at my brother and I'm not going to talk about the rest. I tried to help him.”
“He knew how much I loved him,” Hunter continued. “I’d do anything for him no matter what… I always looked up to him. He was a big brother in a sense.”
According to Hunter, Austin had dreams of playing college football as a linebacker.
Amid thanking the Frisco area community for comforting the grieving family, the eleventh grader and his mom, Meghan Metcalf, have admitted they have ‘no desire’ to have anything to do with their son’s alleged killer.
Meanwhile, Austin and Hunter’s father, Jeff Metcalf, has also broken his silence.
Reflecting on the tragic event, the grieving father said: “They were twins, identical twins, and his brother was holding on to him, trying to make it stop bleeding, and he died in his brother's arms. I rushed up there and I saw him on the gurney and I could tell - they said he wasn't breathing.
“I could see all the blood, and I saw where the wound was, and I was very concerned, so I had to find his brother, and we rushed to the hospital.
“And we prayed, and it's God's plan, I don't understand it, but they weren't able to save him. This is murder.”
A GoFundMe has since been set up in honor of Austin’s life, where Jeff described him as a ‘bright young man with a great future ahead of him’.
“He was a leader of men. His smile would light up the room. His passion for football was unbelievable,” he wrote.
“Voted team MVP this past season and carried a 4.0 GPA. He was looking forward to taking his game to the next level.”
Jeff praised his late son’s commitment and dedication to football, remarking how much the deceased has ‘impacted others’ lives’.
The dad penned: “I love you forever, son. It's not goodbye, it's see you later. God will take care of us till we meet again. RIP. Love, Dad.”
Suspect Karmelo is currently being held at Collin County Jail; no bond has been set, as per the New York Post.
ABC7 News also reports that it is currently unclear whether Karmelo has an attorney at this time.
In the wake of Austin’s death, the Frisco Police Department has said it will continue to support anyone affected during this ‘incredibly difficult time’.
“The Frisco Police Department grieves with all those affected by this devastating loss and extends its deepest condolences to the victim's family, students, and staff who are experiencing unimaginable pain,” the department said.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].
Ella Scott