A disturbing trend has emerged on TikTok where users are creating songs and dances that mock the murder of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. The trend centers around a rap song titled “Austin Bop,” which includes lyrics that graphically detail the stabbing death of the high school athlete.
Supporters of Karmelo Anthony, the 19-year-old convicted of first-degree murder for stabbing Metcalf, are participating in the trend. Videos show users dancing with knives, pretending to stab themselves, and using the song’s lyrics, such as “Austin bop, knife had blood on the tip when he dropped… coughin’ up blood, you think he got ebola.” The song was uploaded to Apple Music on June 10, the day after Anthony’s conviction.
Some videos accompanying the song feature anti-Metcalf memes, including one with a funeral pavilion and the caption, “Austin wanted a tent…he got one.” Other posts have been captioned with offensive holiday greetings directed at Metcalf’s family.
The controversy began after Anthony was convicted on June 9, 2026, for the stabbing death of Metcalf. The fatal incident occurred a year prior during a dispute over a seating spot at a track meet in Frisco, Texas. While Metcalf’s supporters viewed Anthony as a violent individual, Anthony’s supporters, who are Black, have claimed the conviction was racially motivated and raised over $625,000 for his legal defense.
The animosity between the two sides has extended beyond the courtroom, with both families facing online harassment. Metcalf’s supporters reportedly mailed his obituary to the Anthony home, while Anthony’s supporters allegedly made false police reports, known as “swatting,” targeting Metcalf’s parents.
Demonstrations occurred outside the courthouse during the trial, and the guilty verdict led to altercations and arrests. The Anthony family has stated their intention to appeal the conviction.
In addition to “Austin Bop,” another song called “Austin Pack” has surfaced with violent lyrics targeting Metcalf’s twin brother, Hunter, who was present when Austin died. Some social media users have defended these actions by referencing similar online trolling campaigns directed at public figures. However, the trend has also drawn criticism from others who condemn the mockery of a victim’s death, with one Instagram user calling the behavior “demonic.”