The father of the 17-year-old high school student who was fatally stabbed at a Frisco track meet earlier this month has been targeted by a third swatting incident, police say.
The latest incident occurred on Monday, when Frisco police received a false report of gunshots at Jeff Metcalf's residence. Upon arrival, officers determined there was no threat, confirming it was another swatting call, Frisco police said.
The incident follows two previous swatting calls -- on April 8 and April 17 -- which targeted the homes of both Jeff Metcalf and Meghan Metcalf, Austin Metcalf's mother.
Swatting, a dangerous act of falsely reporting emergencies to provoke a large police response, has increasingly become a tool of harassment, and Metcalf's family has been subjected to this trend multiple times in recent weeks.
The harassment comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the tragic death of Austin Metcalf, who was stabbed during a fight at the UIL District 11-5A track meet on April 2.
The suspect, Karmelo Anthony, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder but has since been released on bond after his bail was reduced from $1 million to $250,000. The case has sparked intense public scrutiny, with both families involved reporting threats and harassment.
Jeff Metcalf has been vocal about his grief and frustration, attending a press conference held by Anthony's family earlier this month. The event, intended to address allegations of harassment against Anthony's family, was delayed after Metcalf's unexpected appearance, leading to his removal by police. Dominique Alexander, a representative for Anthony's family, criticized Metcalf's presence, calling it "disrespectful".
The swatting incidents have added to the emotional toll on the Metcalf family, who are already grappling with the loss of their son.
Frisco police have not disclosed any information about the origin of the calls or potential suspects. The dangerous nature of swatting, which can lead to fatal consequences, underscores the urgency of addressing this form of harassment.
As the investigation into Austin Metcalf's death and the subsequent swatting incidents continues, both families remain at the center of a deeply polarizing case that has drawn national attention.
The Metcalf family, mourning the loss of their son, now faces the additional burden of navigating targeted harassment, while the broader community grapples with the implications of such acts of intimidation.
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