The death of Austin Metcalf has sent shockwaves throughout the United States.
In an age dominated by social media, rumors and unverified claims about what truly happened at Kuykendall Stadium have spread like wildfire.
Among them are outrageous conspiracy theories — sparking a response from both local police and the FBI.
Misleading post
Seventeen-year-old athlete and honor student Austin Metcalf tragically lost his life after being stabbed in the chest, allegedly by another 17-year-old, Karmelo Anthony, following a heated confrontation on April 2.
According to Metcalf’s family, the two teens had never met before, and what began as a verbal dispute escalated quickly when Anthony pulled out a knife.
In the aftermath of Austin Metcalf’s tragic death, a wave of fraudulent social media accounts pretending to be the local police chief and the medical examiner’s office have surfaced, spreading misinformation about the circumstances surrounding his death.
One particularly disturbing viral post falsely claimed that Metcalf actually died from a drug overdose, as reported by the New York Post.
Another misleading post, impersonating the Frisco police chief, falsely suggested that Metcalf was killed after allegedly overpowering Karmelo Anthony in what was described as ”mutual combat.”
A manipulated image, which falsely claimed to be an official report from the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office, circulated online stating that Austin Metcalf’s primary cause of death was an “MDMA drug overdose,” with the stab wound listed as secondary. Police have confirmed that this report is entirely false.
“The Frisco Police Department is aware of an image circulating on social media purporting to be a report from the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office. At this time, the report has NOT been released. Therefore, any information currently found online is FALSE,” the department stated in an Facebook post.
Impersonating Frisco Police Chief
Additionally, a fake social media account impersonating Frisco Police Chief David Shilson has sparked a criminal investigation by both the FBI and Frisco police, according to WFAA-TV. The fraudulent account spread a fabricated statement quoting the police chief, claiming Metcalf had “sucker punched” Karmelo Anthony first and had “smashed [Anthony]’s phone onto one of the bleachers,” leading to what was described as a “mutual combat altercation.”
In response to the spreading misinformation, Frisco Police Chief David Shilson issued a stern warning:
“Beware of those taking to social media to deliberately spread misinformation, hate, fear, and division.
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“I ask everyone to be cautious of the inaccurate information that is circulating related to this incident, and to only trust information that comes from official releases and verified sources.”
Even Anthony’s own family has condemned some fake accounts. In a statement, they clarified that one GoFundMe campaign claiming to raise money based on these false narratives was a scam.
Despite doubts surrounding the legitimacy of some fundraisers, Anthony and his family have managed to raise nearly $200,000 for his legal defense.
”The narrative being spread is false, unjust, and harmful,” the Anthony family stated on the crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo.
”As a family of faith, we are deeply grateful for all of your support during this trying period. Your prayers and assistance mean more to us now more than ever.”
Hired famous Texas attorneys
The funds raised through the fundraiser will allow the family to hire two prominent Texas attorneys, known for handling racially sensitive cases, including securing a settlement for a 14-year-old girl involved in the controversial 2015 McKinney pool party incident.
“Karmelo, like all citizens of the United States, is entitled to a fair and impartial legal process; we are committed to ensuring that Karmelo’s rights are indeed protected throughout each phase of the criminal justice system,” said Clark and Cole in a statement.
Anthony is currently held in Collin County Jail, facing a first-degree murder charge with a bond set at $1 million.
Frisco City Councilman Brian Livingston stated that, despite the chaos online, most residents are choosing to stay above the frenzy of conspiracy theories.
“This is a much bigger deal on social media. I don’t think social media represents the city of Frisco,” Livingston told New York Post.
“I think the city of Frisco has a history of handling things like this. We are a united community. It is taken seriously, but I think people are mostly concerned about the two families and focused on getting through this,” he added.
