Jeff Metcalf, father of slain Texas teenager Austin Metcalf, offered heartfelt perspective and encouragement to Charlie Kirk’s family as they sat in a Utah courtroom for the preliminary hearing of alleged assassin Tyler Robinson.
Speaking to The Charlie Kirk Show on Tuesday, Metcalf delivered a moving message of forgiveness, overcoming devastating loss, handling attacks, and the strength required to endure unimaginable pain
TPUSA Spokesman Andrew Kolvet explained that he specifically asked Metcalf to share his point of view because “few people understand what they’re going through more than Jeff.”
“I asked Jeff Metcalf, father to Austin, to give his POV and encouragement to Erika, Rob, and Kathy as they sit in that Utah courtroom. Few people understand what they’re going through more than Jeff. A truly powerful conversation,” Kolvet wrote, sharing a link to the full conversation.
WATCH:
I asked Jeff Metcalf, father to Austin, to give his POV and encouragement to Erika, Rob, and Kathy as they sit in that Utah courtroom. Few people understand what they’re going through more than Jeff. A truly powerful conversation.
The full interview 👉https://t.co/hBXWk98BQr pic.twitter.com/PeypmFR7Tc
— Andrew Kolvet (@AndrewKolvet) July 7, 2026
In the clip, Metcalf stated, “When Erika stood up there and said she forgave him. That was the same exact thing I did. And my phone started blowing up because they’re like, ‘Oh my God, you know, she just forgave him just like you.’ And I said, people don’t understand forgiveness.”
“Forgiveness is for me,” he continued. “So I don’t carry hate, anger, or revenge inside of me. You have to let that go and rely on your faith. Because it says, ‘Vengeance is mine,’ saith the Lord. So, I mean, you really need to learn how to let that go so you don’t carry it around so it won’t eat you up like cancer. And that’s the reason I was able to forgive so fast because I know what I needed to do for me as a Christian.”
Jeff Metcalf’s son, Austin, was brutally stabbed and murdered in 2025 at a Frisco, Texas, track meet by Karmelo Anthony.
The case drew national attention, and Metcalf and his family faced death threats and harassment simply because their son was white, even though he was the victim.
Anthony, now 19, was convicted of first-degree murder. He has been sentenced to 35 years in prison.
The preliminary hearing for Kirk’s alleged assassin, Tyler Robinson, is ongoing. The preliminary hearing began this week.
Robinson may face the death penalty if convicted.
