“Free him”: Twitch streamer BruceDropEmOff backs Karmelo Anthony and sparks fierce debate over Austin Metcalf murder conviction

BruceDropEmOff has stepped into the debate surrounding Karmelo Anthony just days after the teenager was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison. The popular streamer and YouTuber publicly shared a message supporting Anthony, whose case has sparked strong reactions across social media. In a post shared by @FearedBuck, BruceDropEmOff’s message appeared alongside a photo of Anthony and a screenshot of the original tweet from @raycondones. Bruce wrote: “I stand with Karmelo Anthony, every picture you see of this young black man his head is up don’t let them break you bro. #FREEHIM.”The post quickly drew attention because it came shortly after Anthony’s conviction in the fatal stabbing of fellow teenager Austin Metcalf at a Texas high school track meet. While some people supported Bruce’s comments, others criticized the message and questioned whether it downplayed the seriousness of the case.

BruceDropEmOff shares support for Karmelo Anthony after prison sentence

BruceDropEmOff’s post focused on Anthony’s attitude during the legal process. By saying Anthony always keeps “his head up,” the streamer encouraged him to stay mentally strong despite the conviction and prison sentence.The hashtag “#FREEHIM” also carried a clear message. It suggested Bruce disagrees with the outcome of the case and believes Anthony should not be behind bars. The tweet quickly became part of a larger online discussion about the verdict.

What happened between Karmelo Anthony and Austin Metcalf?

The incident happened on April 2, 2025, during a rainy high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. According to witness accounts and court testimony, Karmelo Anthony entered an area being used by students from Memorial High School.Austin Metcalf and others reportedly asked Anthony to leave several times. During the argument, Anthony allegedly said, “Touch me and see what happens” while reaching into his bag. After a brief confrontation, Metcalf pushed Anthony. Anthony then pulled out a knife and stabbed Metcalf once in the chest. Metcalf later died from the injury.

Jury rejects self defense claim in Karmelo Anthony case

Anthony later turned himself in and claimed he acted in self-defense. However, prosecutors argued the stabbing was not justified.After hearing evidence, a jury rejected the self-defense argument and found Anthony guilty of murder on June 9-10, 2026. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison and may become eligible for parole after serving part of that sentence.

Case fuels online debate about race accountability and justice

The case continues to divide opinion online. Critics of BruceDropEmOff’s message say supporting Anthony sends the wrong message after a murder conviction. Others argue the punishment was too harsh and point to concerns about racial bias within the justice system.As discussions continue, the case remains part of a wider conversation about self-defense claims, accountability, race, and the influence that popular streamers and online personalities have on their audiences.