A fundraiser for the 17-year-old who reportedly admitted to fatally stabbing Austin Metcalf at a Texas track meet has now raised over $160,000 in total donations on GiveSendGo.
Last week, there were multiple GoFundMe webpages that were set up, raising over $16,000 before multiple were taken offline. At the same time, a GiveSendGo that has remained active has raised over $160,000 to support murder suspect Karmelo Anthony and his family.
As of Monday morning, the fundraiser had amassed over $161,000 and the goal has been set to $200,000. Anthony has been charged with first-degree murder and is being held on a $1,000,000 bond in Collin County Jail.
The GiveSendGo webpage reads, "This is the Official Support Fund for Karmelo and his family during this challenging and difficult time. The narrative being spread is false, unjust, and harmful. As a family of faith, we are deeply grateful for all of your support during this trying period. Your prayers and assistance mean more to us now more than ever."
Last week, it was reported that Metcalf saw Anthony under his team's tent at a Texas track meet and as a result, a confrontation occurred. Witnesses said that Anthony was told to leave by Metcalf after he walked over to the tent and then Anthony reached in his bag, telling Metcalf, "Touch me and see what happens." One witness said that Metcalf touched Anthony, another said he grabbed him, and then Anthony stabbed Metcalf and ran off, later telling police that he "did it" but said that he thought it was self-defense.
"I know that my client said it was self-defense. I don't have any reason to disbelieve that, but I need to develop facts, talk to people and figure out what's going on before I make any statements about what I think happened," defense attorney for Anthony said of the case. "I don't have any reason to think it wasn't self-defense at this time."
