The pain of losing a child never fades. For the family of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, that pain just grew even heavier. Earlier this month, Austin, a bright and talented high school football player from Texas, lost his life at a track meet. Police say Karmelo Anthony, a fellow 17-year-old from a rival school, confessed to killing him, claiming it was an act of self-defense.
Now, as Austin’s family struggles to heal, they are facing an unthinkable new burden. Instead of being left to grieve in peace, they have become the targets of cruel and terrifying “swatting” attacks that put their lives at risk all over again.
Metcalf Family Endures Swatting Attacks Amid Grief
Frisco police revealed that someone targeted the Metcalf family with three separate swatting incidents this month. On Monday, officers rushed to a home tied to the family after someone falsely reported a gunshot. When police arrived, they quickly realized there was no threat- only another heartless attempt to terrorize a grieving family.
Officers confirmed that similar false reports led them to Austin’s parents’ homes on April 8 and April 17. Each time, the fear was real. Each time, the danger was real. A single wrong move during one of these responses could have ended in another tragedy.
Swatting isn’t a harmless prank. It is a dangerous and deliberate act meant to create chaos and fear. The Metcalf family, already shattered by Austin’s death, now lives with the added fear that another knock on their door could bring guns, sirens, and more devastation.
Meanwhile, the case against Karmelo Anthony moves forward. Authorities charged him with first-degree murder. Though a judge lowered his bond from $1 million to $250,000, the seriousness of the charge remains. Anthony’s family insists he acted in self-defense, but the community continues to seek answers and justice for Austin.
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As the Metcalfs endure this nightmare, support from across Texas pours in. Friends, neighbors, and strangers alike stand behind them, hoping to give them the strength to face each new day. Austin’s memory deserves peace, and so does the family he left behind.
Also Read: Home Of 17-Year-Old Murder Victim Austin Metcalf’s Family Was Reportedly Swatted By Police
