In a case that’s shaken a Texas community and ignited fierce debate online, the father of a teenage boy accused of killing a fellow student is speaking out —pleading with the public to see beyond the headlines and consider the full story.

“He’s a good kid”

Andrew Anthony, the father of 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony, gave an emotional and exclusive interview to the New York Post, describing his son not as a violent criminal, but as a hard-working, high-achieving student who was caught in a tragic moment.

“Everyone has already made their assumptions about my son, but he’s not what they’re making him out to be,” Andrew Anthony said.

“He’s a good kid. He works two jobs. He’s an A student, has a 3.7 GPA.”

A fundraiser for Karmelo Anthony has brought in over $143,000 as of Monday — amid growing controversy and a public debate over what really happened that day.

Hosted on GiveSendGo, the campaign was reportedly launched by Karmelo’s family, who insist the teen acted in self-defense. Despite police stating that Karmelo admitted to the stabbing, the fundraiser pushes back against public perception.

The description on the page asserts: “The narrative being spread is false, unjust, and harmful.”

Stabbed Austin Metcalf in the heart

Karmelo is accused of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Texas high school football player Austin Metcalf during a heated altercation at a track meet held at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Witnesses claim the two teens got into a fight over a seat— and things spiraled fast.

“He was not the aggressor. He was not the one who started it,” Andrew Anthony said.

According to the father, Karmelo had been told he was sitting in the wrong seat.

When tensions escalated, he allegedly pulled a knife and stabbed Austin Metcalf in the heart. But Karmelo’s family insists it was self-defense. Many on social media — some claiming to be at the scene — back up that narrative, saying Austin got physical first.

Tragically, Austin died in the arms of his twin brother Hunter, who witnessed the attack.

“I tried to whip around as fast as I could,” Hunter Metcalf told WFAA.

“I looked at my brother and I’m not going to talk about the rest. I tried to help him.”

Hunter, born four minutes after Austin, explained that him and his twin – both juniors at Memorial High School outside Dallas – were in the school’s tent when a student from another school decided to enter.

“This kid was sitting under out tent at track, we asked him to move. He started getting aggressive and talking reckless and my brother stepped in and said, ‘you need to move,’” Hunter told ABC affiliate WFAA in a heartbreaking interview. “And he’s like, ‘Make me move.’

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