Off The Record
Austin Metcalf, A Texas Football Star, Is The Subject Of Sick Conspiracy Theories That Has Gone Viral Online
The death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf has sparked widespread concern and an official response from both local police and federal authorities, due to the spread of false information online.
Metcalf, a student and athlete, died after being stabbed in the chest during a confrontation on April 2 at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
The suspect, another 17-year-old named Karmelo Anthony, has been charged with first-degree murder. According to Metcalf’s family, the two teens had not met before the incident, which reportedly escalated from a verbal exchange.
Following the incident, several fake social media accounts emerged, impersonating officials such as the Frisco police chief and representatives from the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office.
These accounts shared misleading and fabricated details about the case. One viral post falsely claimed that Metcalf died from a drug overdose, referencing a doctored image of a supposed official report.
Authorities have confirmed that the medical examiner’s report has not been released and any such documents circulating online are not legitimate.
The Frisco Police Department addressed this directly on Facebook, stating, “At this time, the report has NOT been released. Therefore, any information currently found online is FALSE.”
Additionally, a fake account pretending to be Frisco Police Chief David Shilson published a false statement about the nature of the altercation between Metcalf and Anthony. This prompted a criminal investigation involving both the Frisco Police Department and the FBI.
Chief Shilson urged the public to remain vigilant about misinformation: “Beware of those taking to social media to deliberately spread misinformation, hate, fear, and division. I ask everyone to be cautious of the inaccurate information that is circulating and to only trust information from official releases and verified sources.”
Karmelo Anthony’s family also spoke out against fraudulent online activity. They stated that a GoFundMe campaign circulating online, which referenced false claims, was not affiliated with them. However, a separate fundraiser hosted on GiveSendGo, which the family confirmed as legitimate, has raised nearly $200,000 for Anthony’s legal defense.
In a statement posted on the fundraiser, the family said: “The narrative being spread is false, unjust, and harmful… We are deeply grateful for all of your support during this trying period.”
The funds are being used to retain two experienced Texas attorneys known for handling high-profile cases. The attorneys, Clark and Cole, said in a joint statement: “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 protected throughout each phase of the criminal justice system.”
Anthony is currently being held at the Collin County Jail with a bond set at $1 million.
Frisco City Councilman Brian Livingston commented on the situation, noting that while misinformation is widespread online, the local community remains focused on the families involved.
“This is a much bigger deal on social media. I don’t think social media represents the city of Frisco,” he told the New York Post. “It is taken seriously, but I think people are mostly concerned about the two families and focused on getting through this.”
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