(NewsNation) — A spokesperson for the Next Generation Action Network released a statement Monday on the case of Karmelo Anthony, the Texas teen accused of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet, prompting Metcalf’s father to respond.
Minister Dominique Alexander released a statement on X regarding the news conference held by Anthony’s family in April. The statement was accompanied by a 12-minute video discussing the case and the Metcalf family.
Jeffrey Metcalf, Austin’s father, declined to discuss specifics but told NewsNation, “Truth will come out, and justice will prevail.”
Alexander said that Anthony’s family will stand behind him as he plans to present a self-defense claim. He said, “I believe the Anthony family feels that, yes, Karmelo Anthony is innocent of this, and they are going to support Karmelo Anthony in this entire process and get him prepared.”
Austin Metcalf’s father asked to leave news conference several times: Minister
Alexander claimed in his statement that Jeffrey Metcalf was asked to leave the news conference several times after he “arrived uninvited.”
“He was not part of the event and was not welcomed. Our staff, along with plainclothes Dallas Police officers already onsite for security, approached him multiple times and respectfully asked him to leave,” Alexander wrote.
Alexander then said that Jeffrey Metcalf had refused to leave, and they were unsure of who he was until a “member of the media identified him.” He said that he wouldn’t leave until uniformed officers asked him to do so.
Alexander went on to say that some individuals online are claiming Jeffrey Metcalf “came in peace.”
However, he said, “that doesn’t change the facts: He delayed a sensitive press event by more than 40 minutes, ignored repeated peaceful requests, and created a tense situation. This is a pending criminal case, and it was completely inappropriate for any interaction between the families to occur.”
Metcalf had told CBS News Texas that he thought showing up to the news conference would give the families a chance to come together. However, Alexander said, “Being in pain doesn’t give anyone the right to ignore boundaries or show up uninvited.”
Metcalf told Fox News, “I don’t allow (Alexander) to live rent-free in my mind… It really doesn’t matter about the lies this man spreads. He just wants more attention. Don’t give it to him.”
Karmelo Anthony charged in stabbing of Austin Metcalf at Texas track meet
Anthony has been charged with first-degree murder in Metcalf’s death. The two allegedly were involved in an altercation that ended in the fatal stabbing of Metcalf, who is said to have died in his twin brother’s arms.
Authorities said Anthony asked officers if the incident could be considered self-defense. He was released from jail and placed on house arrest shortly after his bond was reduced from $1 million to $250,000.
Near the end of April, Anthony was moved to a safe house to “ensure his safety.”