Tragedy Strikes Frisco High School
The first shock came in November. A shooting killed two brothers, one a 17-year-old Memorial High School student. December would deliver another tragedy: A 15-year-old freshman at the school died at home in what Frisco police called a possible double murder-suicide.
And now, the same Frisco high school is reeling yet again after a 17-year-old junior was stabbed at a school track meet on Wednesday, dying in his twin brother’s arms.
The most recent tragedy has put the school and the Frisco Independent School District in the painful role of guiding its campus and community through grief.
Related Incidents
Frisco ISD student fatally stabbed at high school track meet
Crime in The News
The Incident at David Kuykendall Stadium
Austin Metcalf was fatally stabbed at David Kuykendall Stadium. Police arrested Karmelo Anthony, a 17-year-old student from Centennial High School in Frisco, who is now facing a murder charge. McKinney-based attorney Deric Walpole, who is listed as Anthony’s lawyer on jail records, did not immediately return messages seeking comment Friday morning.
Outpouring of Grief
Austin’s death quickly prompted an outpouring of grief online and in person.
A stream of prayers and condolences cascaded under his final posts on Instagram and X. By Friday morning, a GoFundMe campaign to help his family with funeral expenses had raised more than $200,000.
“We send our kids to school every morning with the expectation that we are going to see them again when we return home from work. We expect them to go to safe schools and come home safe. I have twins of my own, I’m just so sorry for your loss,” said Vikas Jain in a public message to the GoFundMe campaign. Jain, who identified as a Frisco resident, donated $50.
Vigil and Support
On Wednesday night, the Hope Fellowship Church in Frisco also hosted a vigil for the teenager.
Principal Brook Fesco said in an email after the tragedy that district and campus counselors would be available to support students.
In her message to the community, Fesco asked parents to speak with their children before returning to school about coping with loss, supporting classmates and expressing their feelings. The principal also sent links offering guidance on how to cope with grief and encouraged students to talk with counselors.
Counseling Support
The school has four counselors on staff, according to its directory.
Past Tragedies
The process was not entirely new for Memorial High.
In November, brothers Kajerriyawn Mack, 17, and La’Marrya Ransem, 22, were shot and killed in McKinney after an argument broke out on a sidewalk among a group of young men, according to Frisco police records. Kajerriyawn was a student at Memorial High, police confirmed.
Just weeks before Christmas, Gavin Morris died in what police called a possible double murder-suicide at a home on Bancroft Lane. Also found dead were the boy’s father, 54-year-old Ronald Morris and the elder Morris’ girlfriend, 53-year-old Stacey White. Frisco police didn’t immediately respond to a Thursday request asking for an update on the case.
Community Reaction
News of the deaths left neighbors of the northern Frisco subdivision shaken by the loss of life.
The loss also touched the school, prompting school officials to provide grief support to students.
School District Response
On social media, one person recalled how their daughter and the teen, who were in orchestra together, had just performed at a concert. Another post stressed how important it would be to have counselors at the high school to help students handle the loss.
The Frisco school district said it could not confirm how many of its students have died in the past year, from violence or any other reason. It also declined to make Memorial High’s principal available for an interview.
A Different World
Stephanie Elad, a Frisco school board member running for reelection, said students and parents at the district are now living in a “different world.”
In the past two days, parents at the school have reached out to Elad, she said, to share their shock and grief over the high school’s recent deaths.
“None of this happened when I was in high school,” Elad said during a candidate interview with The Dallas Morning News editorial board. “You never had to worry about anything like this, but this is the world that we live in.”
Conclusion
The recent tragedies at Memorial High School have left the community in shock and grief. The school and the Frisco Independent School District are working to provide support and guidance to students and families affected by the incidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened at Memorial High School?
A: There have been three tragic incidents at Memorial High School in recent months, including a shooting that killed two brothers, a possible double murder-suicide that killed a 15-year-old freshman, and a stabbing that killed a 17-year-old junior.
Q: How is the school district responding to the incidents?
A: The school district is providing counseling support to students and families affected by the incidents. The district is also working to provide guidance and resources to help students cope with grief and loss.
Q: How can I support the families affected by the incidents?
A: You can support the families by donating to the GoFundMe campaign set up to help with funeral expenses. You can also offer your condolences and support to the families through social media or in person.
Q: What can be done to prevent similar incidents in the future?
A: The school district and community are working to identify ways to prevent similar incidents in the future. This includes providing additional counseling support, increasing security measures, and promoting a culture of safety and respect at the school.
