
A disturbing new TikTok trend has emerged, where people dance to a song about Austin Metcalf s death while reenacting the stabbing that killed him. The trend, being referred to as Austin Bop emerged after Karmelo Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison for
A disturbing new TikTok trend has emerged, where people dance to a song about Austin Metcalf’s death while reenacting the stabbing that killed him. The trend, being referred to as ‘Austin Bop’ emerged after Karmelo Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the 2025 murder of Metcalf.
The X account Right Angle News Network shared a compilation of such videos, writing, “Black Americans have started a trend called the “Austin Bop,” where they dance to a song made about Austin Metcalf’s death while reenacting the stabbing that claimed his life.”
In the videos, Karmelo Anthony supporters are seen making repeated thrusting and stabbing motions toward the chest to mock Metcalf’s murder.
An X account shared one such video, writing, “VILE: disgusting new TikTok trend called the “Austin Bop” has exploded among young black Karmelo Anthony supporters. They gleefully dance, with and without knives, while making repeated thrusting and stabbing motions toward the chest in a brazen mockery of a teenage boy’s brutal murder, often adding laughing emojis to their videos. This isn’t edgy content. This is straight-up demonic celebration of violence. Thug culture remains one of the most toxic, self-destructive forces rotting the black community from within. It glorifies murder, mocks victims, and turns human tragedy into dance challenges.”
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“DEVELOPING: This new song called Austin Bop (stabbing my chest) was released with a cover that says it is by “Austin Metcalf” is going viral,” one account wrote, sharing a video.
“A song and TikTok dance called "Austin Bop" has emerged on social media, with Blacks mocking the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf,” another post reads.
Anthony was accused of stabbing Metcalf to death during a rain delay at a high school track meet. Before the stabbing, which took place at Memorial High School in Frisco, Metcalf had reportedly asked Anthony, who is black, to leave the event since he did not attend that school. Metcalf was white.
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Anthony was transferred to the Wallace Pack Unit, near Houston, Texas, on June 10. He filed a notice of appeal following his conviction, according to court records.
Many people defended Anthony after the incident, and a GiveSendGo was launched for him. Anthony stabbed Metcalf during an alleged verbal dispute, and later claimed it was self-defense. He reportedly had no prior criminal history.
Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More