Hunter Metcalf stood in for his late sibling in an emotional moment at Memorial High School's graduation ceremony on May 21
Credit: Austin Metcalf/X; WFAA
NEED TO KNOW
- Hunter Metcalf accepted his late twin brother Austin’s diploma as the Memorial High School students graduated in Frisco, Texas, on Thursday, May 21
- The ceremony included a standing ovation for Austin, who was killed at a track and field meet in April 2025
- Karmelo Anthony is facing a first-degree murder charge for the fatal incident; the trial begins June 1
The twin brother of Austin Metcalf — the Texas high schooler who was killed by a fellow student at a track and field meet last spring — has accepted his diploma over a year after his death.
Karmelo Anthony has been indicted for first-degree murder regarding the fatal stabbing of the Memorial High School junior at the April 2025 meet. Just days before the murder trial is scheduled to start, Hunter Metcalf accepted a posthumous diploma on his brother's behalf.
Hunter wore a cap and gown as he joined students in walking across the stage at the Ford Center on Thursday, May 21, according to ABC affiliate WFAA.
The emotional moment came after Hunter accepted his own diploma and later returned to the graduation stage to pick up his late sibling's diploma, WFAA reported. The crowd also acknowledged the tribute, giving a 30-second standing ovation during the moment, according to the outlet.
Hunter did not speak publicly at the ceremony, nor did any other family members of Austin, WFAA reported, citing a gag order connected to the ongoing murder case, which is set to begin on June 1.
Austin's name was listed in the Memorial High School commencement ceremony program alongside his brother's.
Anthony, who was a senior at the time of the incident, graduated last year. However, he was not allowed to participate in any senior graduation activities.
He was initially expelled but was later allowed to receive his diploma because he had a 3.7 GPA and completed all necessary credits, the organization Next Generation Action Network announced at the time after reaching an agreement with the Frisco Independent School District.
Credit: Austin Metcalf/X
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The decision drew criticism from Austin's father, Jeff Metcalf, who attempted to contest the decision, the Daily Mail reported at the time.
Anthony allegedly stabbed Austin at the track and field meet on April 2, 2025, after he asked Austin to move out of a tent he was sitting under at Kuykendall Stadium, an eyewitness told police in the probable cause affidavit previously obtained by PEOPLE.
The same eyewitness claimed that after Anthony said, "Touch me and see what happens,” Austin then began to move and grab Anthony, who is believed to have retaliated by stabbing Austin in the chest.
Austin died by the time he arrived at the hospital. Both he and Anthony were 17 at the time of the incident.
Credit: Frisco Police Dept.
Speaking with police after the incident, Anthony seemingly admitted to killing Austin when he allegedly told officers that he "did it," according to the affidavit obtained by PEOPLE. However, he also claimed that he was only "protecting myself."
His attorney, Deric Walpole, echoed this in a statement to local news outlet NBC 5. "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," he said back in April 2025. "I don't have any reason to think it wasn't self-defense at this time."
Anthony was formally indicted for first-degree murder in June 2025, and is being tried as an adult.
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