'Karmelo Anthony not Kyle Rittenhouse': Massive outrage over release of accused Texas killer on bond

Amid a racial debate over the stabbing of Texas teen Austin Metcalf by black teen Karmelo Anthony, comparisons with Kyle Rittenhouse emerged. Anthony stabbed Austin Metcalf and claimed that it was an act of self-defense as Metcalf pushed him at a track event. Social media users who asked why Karmelo had a knife in his backpack were reminded that Kyle Rittenhouse had a gun and in 2020, at the age of 17, he shot two men dead during civil unrest on Wisconsin. Rittenhouse was later found not guilty of murder.

The social media debate shifted focus to the race of the two teens and those supporting Karmelo are saying why people did not have a problem with Kyle Rittenhouse having an AR15. "People out here asking why #KarmeloAnthony had a knife but had no problem with 17-year-old #KyleRittenhouse having an AR 15," one wrote on X.

“People out here asking why #KarmeloAnthony had a knife but had no problem with 17-year-old #KyleRittenhouse having an AR 15” pic.twitter.com/MkXp3wLWvW

— Etan Thomas (@etanthomas36) April 15, 2025

Self defense was understood when it was Zimmerman. Self defense was under stood when it was Goetz. Self defense was understood with Kyle Rittenhouse but #KarmeloAnthony brings confusion for people. Ohhhh I get it only white men/boys can defend themselves. It’s violence otherwise. pic.twitter.com/5Hk5Bbp6GK

— Riri🫶🏽 (@LcdBarbie) April 15, 2025

"Self defense was understood when it was Zimmerman. Self defense was understood when it was Goetz. Self defense was understood with Kyle Rittenhouse but #KarmeloAnthony brings confusion for people. Ohhhh I get it only white men/boys can defend themselves. It’s violence otherwise," another wrote.

Kyle Rittenhouse:
-Shot rioters to save his life
-$2 million bond, not reduced
-86 days in pre-trail detention

Karmelo Anthony:
-Brought a knife to a track meet
-Got insulted, kiIIed someone
-Bond is reduced to $200k
-12 days in pretrial jail
-Buys new house pic.twitter.com/CvvSTvwilb

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) April 15, 2025

Karmelo Anthony is not Kyle Rittenhouse.

Prove me wrong.

— AmericanPapaBear (@AmericaPapaBear) April 15, 2025

There is no hope of improving “race relations” in this country as long as a black murderer can be rewarded with half a million dollars and a new home for stabbing a white kid to death https://t.co/6GzMh028ZM

— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) April 15, 2025

The other section pointed out how Kyle Rittenhouse did not shoot a student but rioters -- to save his life, and also remained in jail for 86 days. But Karmelo who shot a teenager spent only 12 days in jail and got his bond reduced.

Anthony released on bail, bomd reduced, family to move to new house

Karmelo Anthony walked out of the jail on Monday after his family paid the $250,000 bond. A judge agreed to lower it from $1 million. Over $420,000 has been donated to Anthony's family in an online fundraiser after Karmelo received threats.

During the judge's ruling on Monday, prosecutors asked Anthony's dad why he couldn't use the donated money to pay the original bond to release his son from jail, the Sun reported.

Andrew Anthony said the money was going to be used for legal defense and also for security to protect Anthony as the family was also planning to move into a new house for extra safety. Anthony's lawyers insisted the money raised online "is not a bond fund" and that the family needs the funds to get by because Anthony's dad is currently on leave from his job.

Who paid for the bond?

Domique Alexander who claims to be a human rights activist said that pastor Corey C Toney, the owner of No Limit Bail Bonds, "quietly stepped in and covered the entire bond for Karmelo Anthony -- free of charge". "He didn't ask for recognition. He didn't want the spotlight. But I believe it's important to celebrate people who show up when it matters most. This is what community looks like. We rise to the moment. We stand for what's right," Alexander posted.