Father of Slain Track Star Faces Threats Amid Controversial Press Conference

Frisco, Texas — Jeff Metcalf, the father of slain high school track star Austin Metcalf, faced significant turmoil last week when his home was the target of a swatting incident just hours after attending a contentious press conference. The event, held on April 17, 2025, aimed to address the ongoing controversy surrounding the murder charge against Karmelo Anthony, 17, accused of fatally stabbing Austin during a dispute on April 2.

According to the Frisco Police Department, officers responded to a gunshot call in the 8000 block of Hickory Street, which they confirmed to be a false alarm orchestrated through swatting—a deceptive practice typically involving non-existent emergencies aimed at drawing a heavy police response. “I can confirm that last night our officers responded to a gunshot call involving the Metcalf family, which turned out to be swatting,” said a representative from the FPD.

The press conference was organized by Dominique Alexander, head of the activist group Next Generation Action Network, at a time when questions were being raised about the funds raised for Anthony’s family, with over $475,000 collected through a GiveSendGo fundraiser. Anthony had recently seen his bond reduced from $1 million to $250,000, further inciting public scrutiny regarding the use of these funds.

Upon arriving at the press conference, Jeff Metcalf was confronted by security and threatened with criminal charges if he did not leave. Metcalf subsequently departed the venue with a police escort. Alexander criticized Metcalf’s presence, stating, “What we’ve seen at the beginning of this press conference, of the father being at this press conference, is a disrespect to the dignity of his son.”

In response, Metcalf has expressed a desire to keep the conversation away from political divisiveness, emphasizing the incident’s personal ramifications. “I want to clarify something right off to start because I’ve already heard some rumors and gossip. This was not a race thing. This is not a political thing. Do not politicize this. This is a human being thing,” he stated previously.

Amid this turmoil, Alexander and Anthony’s mother, Karla Hayes, defended their family, insisting they have been targeted by hate and intimidation since the incident. “Our family has been under attack. Whatever you think happened between Karmelo and the Metcalf boy, my three younger children, my husband, and I didn’t do anything to deserve to be threatened, harassed, and lied about,” Hayes claimed while asserting that all funds from the fundraiser remain untouched.

During the press conference, Alexander further claimed that race played a role in the unfolding narrative. He argued that political operatives aimed to inflame racial tensions around the case, stating, “These racist bigots try to prevent us from standing up for our baby, our boy, and he should be afforded the same rights that others have had in similar situations.” He compared Anthony’s circumstances to high-profile cases involving individuals like Kyle Rittenhouse, asserting that it raises questions about fairness in legal treatment.

The chaotic environment of the press conference, coupled with the swatting incident at Metcalf’s home, has highlighted the emotionally charged and contentious nature of this case. While the specifics surrounding Austin Metcalf’s tragic death continue to be addressed in public forums, the ongoing battle for accountability and justice has left both families navigating a complex and painful discourse.