Officials warn against misinformation being posted surrounding killing of Texas teen Austin Metcalf

Officials in Frisco are warning against misinformation on social media surrounding the death of Austin Metcalf, a 17-year-old student at Frisco Memorial High School who was reportedly stabbed to death by Karmelo Anthony, a fellow 17-year-old high school student at a track meet.

On the morning of April 2, police believe Metcalf and Anthony were involved in an altercation that started over a seat at the track meet at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco. During the disagreement, Anthony wielded a knife and fatally stabbed Metcalf in the chest. Later that day, Anthony was arrested and charged with murder.

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Several posts have been circulating from accounts claiming to be Frisco Police Department and Collin County officials with the intent of spreading falsehoods surrounding the investigation into Metcalf’s death.

In a statement posted to X, Frisco Police Chief David A. Shilson advised citizens to do their research and only trust reports made by verified sources, as inaccurate information is circulating related to the incident.

“Beware of those taking to social media to deliberately spread misinformation, hate, fear and division,” a portion of the statement read.

Chief Shilson goes on to reference a post that went viral that was doctored to look like a statement from him.

The fabricated press release claims to be the police chief setting the record straight against “Far-Right bloggers.”

It goes on to report that the stabbing happened during a “mutual combat altercation” and that Metcalf “sucker punched” Anthony to initiate the fight. The post also claims that Metcalf “smashed [Anthony]’s phone onto one of the bleachers.” These claims have not been confirmed by authorities investigating the case at any point.

In the press release responding to the hoax, Chief Shilson says that the source of the account that created the fictious statement will be investigated under third-degree felony charges of impersonation.

Frisco PD had to release another statement surrounding a separate piece of misinformation. This time, officials were combatting a post impersonating the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office and claiming that Metcalf’s primary cause of death was determined to be an “MDMA drug overdose,” with blood loss from stab wounds being a secondary cause.

In reality, Metcalf’s cause of death has not been released at this time.

In the statement responding to the misinformation, Chief Shilson emphasized the responsibility of parents to teach their children that their actions have life-long consequences, and violence cannot be treated as a reasonable solution to a disagreement.

“Violence cannot be the go-to means that our young people use as their only way to resolve disputes. We must have conversations about what guides their decisions and motivations,” a portion of the statement read.

Austin’s family has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for funeral expenses and counseling for Austin’s twin brother, Hunter. As of Sunday, the campaign has raised almost $250,000.