Accused Teen Track Meet Stabber Raises Over $500k for Legal Defense, 'Safe Relocation' Amid Threats

The household of a Texas teen accused of fatally stabbing different lad says it has raised much than $515,000 for his ineligible defence and information amid threats they accidental they're facing.

Karmelo Anthony, 17, was arrested and charged with execution earlier this period aft constabulary allege helium stabbed chap 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during an altercation astatine a Texas precocious schoolhouse way conscionable connected April 2.

The Anthony household says successful an online fundraiser that they and their teenage lad person received “escalating threats” since the alleged stabbing. The suspect’s household has raised much than $515,000 arsenic of Wednesday morning.

“While ineligible defence is simply a captious portion of this journey, we privation to marque it wide that this money is not solely dedicated to ineligible expenses,” the Anthony household says successful the online fundraiser.

“The funds raised volition besides enactment a scope of urgent and indispensable needs that person emerged arsenic a effect of this situation, including — but not constricted to — the harmless relocation of the Anthony household owed to escalating threats to their information and well-being, arsenic good arsenic basal surviving costs, transportation, counseling, and different information measures," the station continues.

News of the fundraiser comes amid rising tensions successful the aftermath of Metcalf’s decease earlier this month. It besides comes successful the aftermath of a deluge of misinformation being dispersed connected societal media astir the details of the case, constabulary say.

Anthony was released connected $250,000 enslaved earlier this month, PEOPLE antecedently reported, aft having been lowered from $1,000,000.

Related: Teen Accused of Track Meet Stabbing Won't Face Death Penalty if Convicted, DA Says

Anthony’s mother, Karla Hayes, said astatine the property league that she and her household person received a fig of threats since the alleged murder.

“Whatever you deliberation what happened betwixt Karmelo and the Metcalf boys, my 3 younger children, my hubby and I didn’t bash thing to merit to beryllium threatened, harassed and lied about,” Hayes said. “The lies and mendacious accusations that person been said astir us, particularly implicit the past week, has been overwhelming. The lies and their amplification enactment my household successful danger.”

She besides addressed the Metcalf family, saying: "To the household who experienced the loss, my bosom genuinely goes retired to you."

Related: Tensions Erupt arsenic Track Stabbing Victim’s Father Shows Up Unannounced astatine Suspect’s Family Press Conference

The alleged April 2 incidental occurred aft Metcalf asked Anthony to determination retired from nether a structure that was acceptable up for members of his precocious schoolhouse way team, according to an apprehension affidavit obtained by PEOPLE.

“Touch maine and spot what happens,” Anthony allegedly told Metcalf, according to the affidavit.

Metcalf allegedly proceeded to interaction Anthony, who past allegedly told Metcalf to punch him and spot what happens. Metcalf past allegedly attempted to physically determination Anthony from nether the tent, according to the affidavit. Anthony is past accused of reaching successful his backpack, pulling retired a knife, and stabbing Metcalf successful the chest.

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The full altercation lasted little than 30 seconds, according to the affidavit, which besides said Anthony allegedly told constabulary “I was protecting myself” arsenic helium was being taken into custody, aboriginal contending the unfortunate had "put his hands connected me" adjacent arsenic helium "told him not to."

An arresting serviceman referred to Anthony arsenic an “alleged suspect,” per the affidavit, to which Anthony responded, “I’m not alleged, I did it."

Read the archetypal nonfiction connected People