Witnesses Say Track Stabbing Suspect and Victim Didn’t Know Each Other Before Killing: ‘See What Happens’

The two 17-year-olds whose dispute ended in a fatal stabbing at a Texas high school track meet did not know each other prior to the incident, according to witnesses.

Karmelo Anthony is accused of stabbing Austin Metcalf at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco on April 2.

A probable cause affidavit previously obtained by PEOPLE states that witnesses told police the altercation began when Metcalf asked Anthony to move from under a tent set up for the former’s track team.

The police affidavit states that witnesses said that Metcalf and Anthony did not know each other.

According to the affidavit, a witness said Anthony responded by reaching into his backpack and allegedly saying, “Touch me and see what happens.”

The witness said Metcalf touched Anthony, and the latter allegedly responded by daring the former to punch him.

Metcalf then went to try and physically move Anthony, who then allegedly pulled a knife and stabbed Metcalf, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit claims that Anthony admitted that he stabbed Metcalf to a responding police officer.

“He put his hands on me,” Anthony allegedly said. “I told him not to.”

Anthony also allegedly asked the officer if what had happened constituted self-defense. He is charged with murder and being held on $1 million bail.

“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,” Anthony’s attorney Deric Walpole told NBC 5. “I don’t have any reason to think it wasn’t self-defense at this time.”

CBS News reported that Anthony’s family released a statement in the wake of the stabbing.

“This will certainly be a long road ahead and during this challenging time, we ask for prayers for both families and we ask for your patience and respect for the legal process as we seek the truth,” the reported statement said.

An online fundraiser has raised more than $150,000 for Anthony’s defense.

A GoFundMe started by Metcalf’s father, meanwhile, has raised over $275,000.

“He was a bright young man with a great future ahead of him. He was a leader of men. His smile would light up the room. His passion for football was unbelievable,” Jeff Metcalf wrote. “Voted team MVP this past season and carried a 4.0 GPA. He was looking forward to taking his game to the next level. His commitment, dedication, leadership, and sheer grit made him rise to the level of success that he desired.”