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As you’ve doubtless heard by now, a Texas teenager named Austin Metcalf was stabbed to demise at a highschool observe meet earlier this month.
The classmate who allegedly stabbed him, Karmelo Anthony, has been launched on bail and can quickly endure a trial as a way to decide if he’s responsible of homicide or if he acted in self-defense, as his supporters declare.
It’s one of many many situations within the trendy period wherein giant swaths of the general public have already made up their minds and begun hurling invective at anybody who would possibly disagree.
However not like most seething social media debates, this one is making life much more difficuly for 2 households who’re already residing out unimaginable nightmares.
Texas teen Austin Metcalf was stabbed to demise at a faculty observe meet. (Information 4 San Antonio/screenshot)
Austin Metcalf’s household seems to have been ‘swatted’ by native police
In accordance with a brand new report from TMZ, officers from the Frisco Police Division in Frisco, Texas rushed to the Metcalf household dwelling on Thursday after receiving studies of pictures fired.
Authorities say the responding officers rapidly decided that the decision was an try at “swatting” — the identify for the damaging and wasteful apply of calling in false police studies as a prank.
Austin’s grieving father, Jeff Metcalf, informed TMZ that the incident occurred whereas he was “a few minutes away getting physical therapy for a shoulder injury he sustained a few months ago.”
Sadly, this isn’t the primary time that tensions have boiled over in reference to the tragic incident that passed off on April 2.
Jeff Metcalf is the daddy of Austin Metcalf, a Texas teen who was just lately stabbed to demise. (WFAA 8 Dallas-Fort Price)
A press convention turns contentious
Earlier this week, Jeff Metcalf attended a press convention hosted by the Anthony household and their authorized staff.
Police had been referred to as to the scene, and Metcalf was faraway from the premises.
“What we saw… of the father being here… is a disrespect to the dignity of his son,” minister and activist Dominique Alexander informed reporters, based on the Austin American-Statesman. “He is aware of that it’s inappropriate to be close to this household. However he did it. Actions converse louder than phrases.
“Since this tragedy unfolded, the Anthony family has been subject to unimaginable amount of hate, racism, threats to their safety,” Alexander continued.
“This is not just about Karmelo, this is about the family that dared to stand and demand justice. Let me be loud and clear, we are not scared. We are not moving. We will not be silent.”
Kala Hayes, the mom of Karmelo Anthony, speaks at a press convention. (ABC Information)
Alexander additionally alleged that Metcalf had been influenced by “conservative political operatives.”
In earlier feedback on the state of affairs, pushed again towards extremists who described the altercation as racially motivated.
“In the wake of this tragic incident, our family has been under attack,” Karmelo’s mom, Kala Hayes, informed reporters on the press convention.
“Whatever you think what happened… my three younger children, my husband and I didn’t do anything to deserve to be threatened, harassed and lied about,” she added.
“The lies and their amplification put my family in danger, as well as everyone in our community, everyone involved in the investigation from the police, the attorneys and the court staff.”
No trial date has been set for Karmelo Anthony.
We can have additional updates on this growing story as new data turns into obtainable.
