On April 2, 2025, seventeen-year-old Austin Metcalf, a student at Memorial High School in Frisco, Texas, attended a school track meet. He would not leave the event alive.
While at the meet, Austin had an exchange with Karmelo Anthony, a student at one of the rival schools, Centennial High. Anthony was sitting under the wrong school tent. Austin informed him of his mistake and asked him to move. Anthony refused. A verbal altercation followed, ending with Anthony pulling out a knife and stabbing an unarmed Metcalf in the heart. Metcalf died in his twin brother’s arms shortly after. The murderer later confessed to the killing, was arrested, and has been charged with first-degree murder. He is currently awaiting trial.
On the day of the killing, Austin’s father, Jeff Metcalf, held a press conference. NBC News reported on it, stating:
Jeff Metcalf previously questioned Anthony’s family, telling NBC Dallas-Fort Worth on the day his son died, “I’m not trying to judge, but what kind of parents did this child have? What was he taught? He brought a knife to a track meet, and he murdered my son by stabbing him in the heart.” But he did offer grace to Anthony, also saying, “I already forgive this person. Already. God takes care of things.” [emphasis added]
(NBC NEWS article: Dad of Texas high schooler fatally stabbed at track meet removed from teen suspect’s family press conference)
Amazingly, many have come out in support of the murderer. Close to half a million dollars has been donated to fund his court costs. In a press conference, a so-called “minister of justice,” Dominique Alexander, the spokesperson for the murderer and his family, defended Karmelo’s actions as self-defense. What is noteworthy about this press conference is that Jeff Metcalf sought to attend it as a sign of solidarity, saying he wished to pray with the murderer’s family. In response, Alexander rebuked the grieving father, not only claiming that his actions were disrespectful and inappropriate, but also questioning his character. The peaceful Metcalf was met with disdain and was ejected from the press conference by police officers. When Jeff Metcalf sought peace and solidarity in this terrible moment, he was ridiculed and demonized.
As this case unfolds, how should Christians respond? Specifically, should we follow the example of this so-called “minister of justice” and defend the murderer? Is Mr. Metcalf acting in a godly manner by forgiving his son’s unrepentant killer? Are believers called to have solidarity and make peace with such people? Is forgiveness always required regarding unrepentant murderers and the corrupt people who defend them?
In Isa 1:17, the Lord speaks to the nation of Israel, saying:
Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Rebuke the oppressor;
Defend the fatherless,
Plead for the widow.
In this passage, the Lord has been dealing with the leaders of Judea. Sadly, the nation’s leaders were corrupt, evil men who mistreated the poor and whose hands were covered with the blood of their many victims (1:4, 15). In the face of this corruption, the people did nothing. In response, the Lord hides His eyes from them and refuses to listen to their prayers. The Lord sought their repentance. He does not want His people to simply forgive and forget the corruption around them. Instead, they are told to seek justice. In addition, reproach––not peace or solidarity––is the required response to the oppressors. In short, the people of God cannot defend powerless orphans, widows, or unarmed teenagers without issuing appropriate rebuke and executing true justice.
There is a correlation between this event and the ministries of John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus Christ. Rather than seeking solidarity and peace with their corrupt spiritual leaders, the people of Israel were called to remove themselves from Jerusalem’s corruption and to go to the wilderness with John the Baptist. The Baptist sought the people’s repentance, rebuked the leaders of his day, and never compromised on speaking the truth for the sake of peace and solidarity.
Later, the Lord rebuked the Pharisees for their mistreatment of the people through their money-making schemes at the temple.
“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.” Luke 11:42
The Pharisees and scribes were unduly taxing the people. Later in this passage, the Lord rebukes them, declaring that their hands are blood-soaked; in building the tombs of the prophets, they, in fact, condone the actions of their forefathers who killed those prophets (Luke 11:46-50). In short, through their self-righteousness and false humility, they have forsaken justice and love, and the people they are supposed to serve are suffering.
Today, we see a similar situation. In the name of forgiveness and solidarity, murderers are defended, Austin Metcalf is once again left defenseless, and we become ministers of injustice.
