The Frisco community is mourning the tragic loss of Austin Metcalf, a 17-year-old student-athlete who was fatally stabbed during a track meet at David Kuykendall Stadium on Wednesday. Friends, family, and strangers have taken to social media to express their grief and pay tribute to Austin, whose final Instagram post has become a focal point for these heartfelt messages. The post, made 27 weeks ago, features several photos of Austin during a football game and has garnered over 1,700 likes and 650 comments as of Thursday morning. Many of these comments are from individuals wishing Austin to rest in peace and offering their condolences to his family.
Austin was a standout student-athlete at Frisco Memorial High School, where he was voted the MVP of the school’s football team and maintained a 4.0 GPA. He was also an active member of his community, regularly attending the youth group at Hope Fellowship Church. Tragically, Austin was stabbed in the chest by another 17-year-old, Karmelo Anthony, who attends Centennial High School. Anthony has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder. The incident has left the community in shock and disbelief, with many questioning how such a senseless act of violence could occur in a school setting.
In the wake of the tragedy, Austin’s name quickly became a trending topic online as comments on his final social media posts filled with prayers and condolences. The Metcalf family has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for funeral expenses, which has received an outpouring of support from the community. Hope Fellowship Church in Frisco held a prayer vigil for Austin on Wednesday night, attended by many who wanted to come together to mourn and support one another during this difficult time. Jalaal Abdullah, a teammate of Austin’s at Frisco Memorial High, described him as “a true inspiration” in a post to his Instagram story. “He always found a way to bring the very best out of everyone, including me,” Jalaal wrote. “I wouldn’t be where I’m at without you.”
Texas state Rep. Jared Patterson also expressed his condolences, stating that he and his wife were “heartbroken over this unspeakable tragedy.” Patterson praised Austin as “among the best of what Frisco ISD had to offer” and called for peace and love in the community during this time of immeasurable grief. Austin’s final X post, made only days before the stabbing, has also been flooded with comments and likes, reaching over 900,000 views by Thursday morning. In the post, Austin wrote, “Faith that god got me,” adding a heart emoji, “and my work will pay off.” The comments on this post reflect the community’s deep sense of loss and their hope for Austin’s family and friends. “May God be with you and watch over your family and friends right now,” one reply said. “The Lord will hold you in HIS ALMIGHTY ARMS!” replied another.
The outpouring of support for Austin has been overwhelming, with many sharing their memories and admiration for him on social media. His father, Jeff Metcalf, expressed his grief in an online post, stating that Austin passed away in the arms of his twin brother. He also questioned Anthony’s upbringing, saying, “What kind of parents did this child have? What was he taught?” Despite his pain, Jeff Metcalf said he forgives Anthony, trusting that God will take care of his family. The principal of Metcalf’s school, Brook Fesco, sent a letter to parents acknowledging Austin’s death and offering support through the grieving process. The community continues to come together to honor Austin’s memory and support his family during this difficult time.
