You’ve probably seen the name floating around TikTok or X lately. It hits you like a glitch in the matrix because, for a second, you think everyone is talking about the NBA legend. But they aren't. This story isn't about basketball. It’s about a 17-year-old student from Frisco, Texas, named Karmelo Anthony, and a crowdfunding campaign that basically set the internet on fire in early 2025.
What started as a local tragedy at a high school track meet quickly spiraled into a national debate about race, justice, and how we use platforms like GoFundMe and GiveSendGo. Honestly, the details are messy. One minute there’s a stabbing, the next there’s a million-dollar bond, and then suddenly, hundreds of thousands of dollars are pouring into a defense fund while the victim’s family is left reeling.
The Incident That Sparked the Karmelo Anthony GoFundMe
It happened on April 2, 2025. It was supposed to be just another day at the Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco during a track meet. According to police reports and court affidavits, a 17-year-old named Austin Metcalf was stabbed in the chest. He was a junior at Memorial High School. The person holding the knife? Karmelo Anthony, a student-athlete from Centennial High School.
Metcalf didn’t make it. He died right there at the stadium, essentially in his twin brother's arms.
Now, the legal battle that followed is where the Karmelo Anthony GoFundMe drama really takes off. Anthony’s defense team, led by attorney Deric Walpole, didn't deny the stabbing happened. Instead, they claimed it was self-defense. They argued that Anthony was being "jumped" or bullied by Metcalf and his brother. But the prosecution? They aren't buying it. They’ve charged him with first-degree murder, pointing to witnesses who claim Anthony pulled a knife after being asked to move from a tent during a rain delay.
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Why GoFundMe Shut Everything Down
When the story broke, supporters of the Anthony family immediately rushed to GoFundMe. They raised tens of thousands of dollars in a heartbeat. Then, just as quickly, the pages vanished.
GoFundMe has some pretty strict rules. Basically, they prohibit any fundraising for the legal defense of alleged violent crimes. It doesn’t matter if you claim self-defense or not; if the charge is murder, their terms of service usually mean "game over" for the campaign.
This move created a massive rift online.
Some people cheered, saying you shouldn't be able to "profit" or build a war chest while facing murder charges.
Others were furious. They felt it was a violation of the "innocent until proven guilty" principle.
The Pivot to GiveSendGo
After the GoFundMe takedowns, the family moved to GiveSendGo, a platform that prides itself on being "censorship-free." This is where things got really heated. The "Help Karmelo Official Fund" didn't just meet its goals—it blew past them. Within weeks, the total surged past $515,000.
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Jacob Wells, the co-founder of GiveSendGo, actually stepped into the spotlight to defend the move. He compared the situation to high-profile cases like Kyle Rittenhouse or Daniel Penny. His logic was simple: everyone deserves a defense, and the crowd should be allowed to fund it.
But as the money grew, so did the scrutiny.
The internet is a wild place. Rumors started flying that the family was using the money to buy a luxury house or a new Cadillac.
- The "Luxury House" Claim: A report from the Daily Mail alleged the family moved into a $900,000 mansion.
- The Family's Rebuttal: Anthony’s mother, Kala Hayes, went on the record saying they hadn't even touched the GiveSendGo money yet.
- The Relocation: The family did move, but they claimed it was because of death threats and "swatting" incidents at their old home.
Misinformation and the FBI
You can't talk about the Karmelo Anthony GoFundMe without mentioning the absolute chaos of misinformation. At one point, a fake social media account started impersonating the Frisco Police Chief. It was posting fake autopsy reports and inflammatory racial comments designed to stir the pot.
The FBI actually had to get involved.
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It’s a grim reminder of how fast a local tragedy can be hijacked by people with an agenda. While the Anthony family was raising half a million for a legal defense, Austin Metcalf’s family was trying to mourn. Metcalf's father, Jeff, eventually had to speak out against "Protect White Americans" protesters who were trying to use his son's death to push their own narrative. He told them flat out: "You’re trying to create more race divide than bridging the gap."
Legal Status and What Happens Next
As of right now, Karmelo Anthony is out on bond. It was originally set at $1 million, but a judge lowered it to $250,000, citing his 4.0 GPA and lack of a prior criminal record. He’s currently under house arrest with an ankle monitor, waiting for a trial that’s tentatively set for June 2026.
The money sitting in that GiveSendGo account is still a massive point of contention. Is it a "legal defense fund"? Or is it, as some critics claim, a way for a family to benefit from a tragedy?
If you are following this case or considering donating to any crowdfunding campaign related to legal trials, here is what you need to keep in mind:
- Verify the Platform's Rules: GoFundMe will almost always pull campaigns for violent crime defenses. GiveSendGo is the "go-to" for these cases, but they also have fewer guardrails.
- Watch for Scams: In high-profile cases like this, "copycat" fundraisers pop up every hour. Only use links verified by official legal teams or the families themselves.
- The Money Isn't Always Liquid: Just because a page says "$500,000 raised" doesn't mean the family has it in their bank account. Platforms often hold funds during investigations or until specific milestones are met.
The trial in 2026 will likely be one of the most-watched events in Texas legal history. Until then, the digital footprint of the Karmelo Anthony GoFundMe stands as a testament to how polarized our justice system has become in the age of viral social media.
Stay informed by checking official court records through the Collin County District Clerk’s office rather than relying on TikTok snippets or "leaked" videos that haven't been admitted as evidence. Understanding the difference between "viral narrative" and "legal fact" is the only way to navigate a story this heavy.