Family of Texas Teenager Accused of Killing Track Rival Has Raised More Than $80K for His Legal Defense

• The family of 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony has raised more than $85,000 in donations for his legal defense
• Anthony was charged with murder following the stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet in Frisco, Texas, on April 2
• An attorney for Anthony has claimed that the stabbing was done in self-defense

The family of the Texas teenager accused of fatally stabbing a fellow high school track star has started a legal defense fund on his behalf.

In a fundraiser posted on GiveSendGo, the family of 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony — who was charged with murder following the death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf on April 2 — wrote that the accusations against the teen were “false, unjust and harmful.”

“This is the Official Support Fund for Karmelo and his family during this challenging and difficult time,” the family’s message states. “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 family adds.

As of Sunday, April 6, the fundraiser has garnered more than $85,000 in donations toward a $100,000 goal.

Anthony and Metcalf were both at a track meet at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas, when Anthony allegedly removed a knife from his backpack and stabbed Metcalf, who was pronounced dead by the time he arrived at the hospital, according to the Frisco Police Department.

Defense attorney Deric Walpole has since told local news outlet NBC 5 that Anthony stated he acted in self-defense.

“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,” Walpole told the outlet on Friday, April 4. “I don’t have any reason to think it wasn’t self-defense at this time.”

The defense attorney added that he is also asking a judge to lower Anthony’s $1 million bond.

Metcalf’s family has also established a fundraiser for their expenses, which has raised nearly $250,000 on GoFundMe since April 2.

“He was a bright young man with a great future ahead of him,” Metcalf’s father wrote in part about the late teen. “He was a leader of men. His smile would light up the room. His passion for football was unbelievable. Voted team MVP this past season and carried a 4.0 GPA. He was looking forward to taking his game to the next level.”

A copy of the probable cause affidavit in the case previously obtained by PEOPLE states that Anthony had distanced himself from the victim and other athletes when police arrived on the scene.

An arresting officer ordered the 17-year-old to put his hands up, at which time Anthony allegedly shouted: “I was protecting myself.”

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When the officer referred to Anthony as an “alleged suspect,” he seemingly admitted to the crime in response, allegedly saying, “I’m not alleged, I did it,” according to the affidavit.

“He put his hands on me. I told him not to,” Anthony told a police officer at one point, also asking authorities “if what happened could be considered self-defense,” the affidavit states.

An eyewitness told police that the confrontation between the two boys began when Metcalf asked Anthony to move out from under the tent that had been set up for members of his high school track team on the field that day.

Anthony then allegedly told Metcalf: “Touch me and see what happens.”

The eyewitness claimed that Metcalf touched Anthony, at which time Anthony allegedly told him to punch him and see what happens, according to the affidavit.

Metcalf then went to physically move Anthony, which is when Anthony allegedly pulled a knife out of his bag, stabbed Metcalf in the chest and fled from the tent, per the affidavit.