Karmelo Anthony was placed under house arrest after he was released from jail on bond last week, but the 17-year-old has reportedly been moved to a new location due to safety concerns.
Anthony has been charged with first-degree murder after he allegedly stabbed and killed a fellow high school student at a recent track meet in Frisco, Texas. His bond was initially set at $1 million but was lowered by a judge last week to $250,000. Anthony posted bond and was released but ordered to remain under house arrest.
A report then claimed that Anthony’s family had moved into a gated community in Frisco and purchased a new car. That report led to criticism for the family, as many accused them of living lavishly now that an online fundraising campaign bearing Karmelo’s name has raised more than $500,000.
On Monday, Dallas-based advocacy group Next Generation Action Network revealed that Anthony has been moved to an undisclosed location “to ensure his immediate safety.” The group says the move was court-approved, according to WFAA-TV in Frisco.
The advocacy group said the Anthony family has received threats that include “disturbing mailings” to their home. They also said people have been sending false food deliveries and taking photos outside the home.
“The situation reached such a dangerous level that the Anthony family was forced to evacuate Karmelo Anthony from his home over the weekend to an undisclosed location to ensure his immediate safety, approved by courts,” Next Generation Action Network said in a statement.
Collin County officials would not comment on the advocacy group’s claim due to the “sensitivity of the case.” Anthony’s attorney also did not comment when reached by WFAA.
Anthony is accused of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf after Metcalf reportedly confronted Anthony for standing under the wrong high school’s team tent at the track meet earlier this month.
Anthony has said that he stabbed Metcalf in self-defense. The teenager’s mother spoke out last week after the Anthony family received backlash over the online fundraising campaign.
