The defense fund for Karmelo Anthony, the alleged killer of Frisco High School student Austin Metcalf, has exceeded initial fundraising goals.
As of the time of publication, the fund has received $185,394 in donations and aims to reach a total of $200,000. Organizers raised the goal after it exceeded the previous $100,000 goal. The GiveSendGo website states that more than 5,000 donors support the fund, and “The Anthony Family” created the campaign.
The “Help Karmelo Official Fund” description states, “This is the Official Support Fund for Karmelo and his family during this challenging and difficult time. The narrative being spread is false, unjust, and harmful. 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. – The Anthony Family.”
Some donors chose to attach messages to their funds.
“Thank you Karmelo, for standing up for yourself against racist bullies because if you didn’t you would probably not be here today,” donor Kathleen Burns wrote.
“I pray this young man gets justice. #self-defense,” Tiffany H. posted along with her donation.
There are many anonymous donations for similar amounts of money that include identical or similar messages.
“Praying for honest justice!” several anonymous donations of $15-20 read.
“Praying for extraordinary strength over you and your family,” a series of $25-50 donations say.
Anthony is accused of killing Metcalf with a knife at a high school track meet during a dispute over whether Anthony was sitting in the correct tent on April 2.
Metcalf’s identical twin brother was a witness to the killing.
“We were one person,” Hunter told The Dallas Morning News the following day. “We did everything together, everything the same. We connected so well.”
“I pray that none of this happens to another family,” the boy’s father, Jeff, told the outlet. “If you can’t be a kind person, find one. We need more compassion, more love, more understanding, better parenting, and less social media.
“I’m so proud of both of my sons,” Jeff Metcalf added. “They were, and still are, great men.”
“I know that my client said it was self-defense. I don’t have any reason to disbelieve that, but I need to develop facts, talk to people, and figure out what’s going on before I make any statements about what I think happened,” the suspect’s defense attorney, Deric Walpole, said to NBC 5 DFW. “I don’t have any reason to think it wasn’t self-defense at this time.”
GoFundMe accounts have also been established for the family of the decedent. A GoFundMe titled “Honoring Austin Metcalf: Help His Family Heal” has raised over $261,00. The website says, “Jeff Metcalf is organizing this fundraiser.”
Another account on the website named “In Memory of Austin Metcalf” raised over $105,000.