Sick conspiracy theory spread online about Texas football star Austin Metcalf
The United States has been rocked by Austin Metcalf’s passing.
In today’s age of social media, speculation and sensationalism can spread faster than the truth. The tragic events at Kuykendall Stadium have become a breeding ground for unverified claims and wild conspiracy theories, prompting swift responses from both local law enforcement and the FBI.
On April 2, a devastating incident shattered the community: Austin Metcalf, a 17-year-old honor student and promising athlete, lost his life after a violent altercation. He was fatally stabbed in the chest, with fellow 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony identified as the alleged perpetrator.
According to Austin Metcalf’s family, the two teenagers had never crossed paths before that fateful day. What began as a verbal dispute quickly escalated into violence when Karmelo Anthony, 17, reportedly pulled a knife.
In the wake of Austin’s tragic death, a wave of misinformation has flooded social media. Fake accounts impersonating local authorities—including the police chief and the medical examiner’s office—have surfaced, spreading harmful and entirely false narratives about the events that took place.
One particularly disturbing article, cited in a recent New York report, falsely claimed that Austin Metcalf died of a heroin overdose—an accusation firmly denied by authorities and the victim’s family.
Another misleading post, disguised as an official tweet from the Frisco police chief, suggested that Metcalf was killed after allegedly dominating Anthony in a so-called “mutual combat” situation.
Perhaps the most egregious fabrication came in the form of a doctored image, circulating widely online, that appeared to be an official document from the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office. It falsely stated that Metcalf died from an “MDMA overdose,” listing the stab wound as merely a secondary cause. This, too, has been debunked by investigators.
Police have officially confirmed that the viral claims are entirely false.
The Frisco Police Department addressed the chaos in a public Facebook post, warning the community about a falsified image circulating online. The image appears to be an official report from the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office—yet authorities clarified that the report has not been released, and any information currently circulating is unequivocally false.
Adding to the online deception, a fake social media account impersonating Frisco Police Chief David Shilson has sparked even greater alarm. According to WFAA-TV, both the FBI and Frisco police have launched a criminal investigation into the impersonation.
The fraudulent account posted a fabricated statement claiming Austin Metcalf had “smashed [Anthony’s] phone onto one of the bleachers” and then “sucker punched” him—framing the fatal encounter as a so-called “mutual combat altercation.” This false narrative has only deepened public confusion and intensified the spread of misinformation.
Frisco Police Chief David Shilson has issued a stern warning in response to the flood of false information spreading across social media platforms:
“Watch out for anyone using social media to purposefully sow disinformation, hatred, fear, and division. I urge everyone to exercise caution when it comes to the false information being spread about this tragedy and to rely solely on confirmed details from official sources.”
Some of the most egregious fabrications have even been denounced by Karmelo Anthony’s own family. In a public statement, they called out a fraudulent GoFundMe campaign that attempted to exploit misleading narratives for financial gain.
Despite the controversy, Anthony’s family has successfully raised nearly $200,000 for his legal defense. On the Christian fundraising site GiveSendGo, the family posted a heartfelt message:
“The narrative being spread is false, unjust, and harmful. As a religious family, we sincerely appreciate all of your help during this difficult time. We are more grateful than ever for your prayers and support.”
The funds raised have helped the family secure legal representation from two high-profile Texas attorneys, known for their work on racially charged and high-stakes cases—including the 2015 McKinney pool party incident involving a 14-year-old girl.
In a joint statement, attorneys Clark and Cole emphasized their commitment to due process:
“We are committed to ensuring that Karmelo’s rights are protected throughout every phase of the criminal justice system. Like all citizens of the United States, Karmelo is entitled to a fair and impartial legal process.”
As of now, Karmelo Anthony remains in custody at Collin County Jail, held on a $1 million bond and facing a charge of first-degree murder.
Amid the digital chaos, many in the community are striving to rise above the noise.
“Despite the chaos online, most residents are choosing to stay above the frenzy of conspiracy theories,” said Frisco City Councilman Brian Livingston.
Speaking to the New York Post, Livingston added, “On social media, this is a huge issue. Social media, in my opinion, does not accurately reflect Frisco.”
He acknowledged the seriousness of the situation but emphasized the community’s strength and unity:
“I believe Frisco has a track record of dealing with similar situations. Our community is one. Although it is taken seriously, I believe that people are primarily focused on getting through this and worried about the two families.”
