The tragedy in Frisco, Texas—already inflamed by grief, racial tension, and legal controversy—took another dark turn on Thursday when police swarmed the home of Austin Metcalf, the 17-year-old stabbing victim, in response to a false emergency report. Authorities quickly determined the call was a “swatting” hoax, an increasingly dangerous and malicious prank tactic where fake crimes are reported to provoke a heavy police response.
This brazen act of harassment came just hours after Austin’s father, Jeff Metcalf, unexpectedly appeared at a press conference held by the family of Karmelo Anthony, the teen accused of fatally stabbing Austin earlier this month. While Jeff reportedly said nothing, his silent presence sent shockwaves through the event and added another volatile layer to an already emotionally charged situation.
INSANE: Just hours after getting KICKED OUT of Karmelo Anthony’s press conference yesterday, Austin Metcalf’s father’s home was swatted.
pic.twitter.com/lWH4NDaFgQ— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) April 18, 2025
The April 2 killing of Austin Metcalf, a white high school football player, by Karmelo Anthony, a Black student from a rival school, has become the epicenter of a racially charged culture war in the Dallas suburb. According to police reports, the fatal encounter began during a rain delay at a track meet, where Metcalf allegedly tried to push Anthony out of his school’s tent. Witnesses said Anthony pulled a knife from his backpack and stabbed Metcalf in the heart. Austin died in the arms of his twin brother.
Anthony, 17, has been charged with first-degree murder, but this week he was released to house arrest after his family posted a $250,000 bond, reportedly raised through online donations that exceeded half a million dollars. His legal defense is expected to lean heavily on self-defense claims.
Tensions ran high at Thursday’s press event, organized by Anthony’s family and advocates. The event was intended to address what the family claims is a barrage of threats, lies, and harassment they’ve faced since the incident. Karmelo’s mother, Kala Hayes, gave an emotional speech, stating, “My three younger children, my husband and I didn’t do anything to deserve to be threatened, harassed, and lied about.”
But before she could begin, Jeff Metcalf’s unannounced arrival caused visible distress and prompted security intervention. Though silent, his mere presence was viewed by organizers as inflammatory. “That was disrespectful and just shows you all the character,” said a representative from the Next Generation Action Network, who criticized Jeff for attending an event where he “was not invited.”
Shortly after the conference, police were dispatched to the Metcalf residence following a false report of a shooting. Frisco Police quickly confirmed it was a hoax—but the danger was real. In recent years, swatting has resulted in fatal outcomes elsewhere, making the prank a terrifying experience for families already in crisis.
Authorities say they are investigating the source of the call. Whether the swatting was politically or racially motivated—or simply the work of anonymous internet trolls—is still unclear. But in a town already on edge, the incident has only magnified a community’s heartbreak and hostility.
