The heartbreaking tragedy of Austin Metcalf, a cherished 17-year-old student-athlete from Frisco ISD, has deeply affected his Texas community and beyond.
Austin was fatally stabbed in the heart during a track meet last week, and now his grieving mother has spoken out about the devastating loss.
In an emotional interview with Fox News, Meghan Metcalf struggled to hold back tears as she recounted the harrowing moment her surviving son witnessed his identical twin’s final breath in his arms.
Her son described the chilling experience of watching Austin’s “soul leave” his body after the fatal stabbing at the Texas track event—a tragedy that has left the family shattered and the community in mourning.
“My son is gone, and I don’t even have the words,” Meghan shared on The Will Cain Show. She added, “He will be deeply missed by our family, but the entire community has embraced us with love. If I could speak to the nation, I’d urge everyone to hold their children close, because you never know when it might be the last time.”
Meghan expressed her struggle to comprehend how a moment of anger could escalate into such a heartbreaking event. “Just because someone was angry—my son isn’t here anymore, and I don’t understand it,” she said.
A Young Athlete with Big Dreams
Austin was more than just a football player; he was a rising star with a bright future. College scouts were already taking notice, and he dreamed of advancing his athletic career. His life revolved around training, leading his team, and uplifting those around him.
What makes this tragedy even more painful is the close bond Austin shared with his identical twin brother. The two were inseparable, sharing everything—from schoolwork to sports to life itself. Now, his twin must face the world without him.
Austin’s brother was by his side in those final moments. He witnessed the entire ordeal and tried desperately to stop the bleeding, holding his brother’s wound and staying close until paramedics arrived.
“I turned around and saw him running down the bleachers clutching his chest. I put my hand on the wound, trying to stop the bleeding, and held his head, looking into his eyes. I saw his soul leave, and it took mine with it,” Hunter Metcalf tearfully recalled.
The Incident and Aftermath
On April 2, the 17-year-old twins, both juniors at Memorial High School near Dallas, were attending a meet at David Kuykendall Stadium. Austin, a standout football MVP and promising shot-put and discus athlete, was preparing to compete.
“We did everything together. You name it, it was always us two. We were basically one person,” Hunter said in a heartfelt interview with WFAA.
The confrontation began unexpectedly while the twins were in their school’s designated tent area. Another student, later identified as Anthony Karmel from Centennial High School, sat beneath their tent.
“We asked him to move, but he got aggressive and started talking recklessly. My brother told him, ‘You need to move,’” Hunter explained. “The other kid said, ‘Make me move.’”
According to witnesses, the situation escalated quickly. Anthony reportedly challenged, “Touch me and see what happens,” before pulling a black knife from his backpack and stabbing Austin in the chest. He then fled the scene.
“I tried to help him,” Hunter said, describing his efforts to stop the bleeding before emergency responders arrived.
Police arrested Anthony, who allegedly confessed to the stabbing but claimed self-defense. He now faces first-degree murder charges.
A Community in Mourning
The news devastated the Frisco community and the Metcalf family. Overwhelmed with grief, Meghan said through tears, “I am so angry at that boy. It’s just not fair.”
Hundreds gathered at the family’s church last week to honor Austin’s life and legacy.
“Seventeen years, my best friend, gone in the blink of an eye,” Hunter shared. “I’m not ready to forgive and forget yet, but maybe someday I will.”
Despite his pain, Hunter showed compassion toward the suspect’s family. “I pray for his family. I hope they understand what we’re going through,” he said.
A Call for Change
This tragedy has sparked an outpouring of support from students, coaches, parents, and strangers across Texas. Memorials have been established, social media is filled with tributes, and many are calling for stronger safety measures at school events.
Above all, the community stands united behind a family who lost a beloved son—a young man whose future was tragically cut short.
Austin Metcalf’s story is a powerful reminder of life’s fragility and how a single act of violence can devastate an entire community. May his memory live on in the hearts of all who knew him.