Authorities have arrested three women following a brutal, unprovoked assault on a woman outside a bar, with the victim reporting that the attackers made racially charged statements and yelled “Free Karmelo” during the beating.

According to police, the victim was leaving a bar when she was suddenly attacked by three Black women. The assailants allegedly targeted her because she is white, yelling slurs and references to the high-profile Karmelo Anthony case — in which Anthony was convicted of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a Frisco, Texas track meet.

One suspect has been identified in reports as Alana Mumphri. The women were taken into custody and face charges including aggravated assault. The victim suffered significant injuries, including trauma requiring medical treatment such as a neck brace.

This incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime. Police are reviewing video evidence and witness statements.

The case has sparked outrage online, with many drawing connections to heightened racial tensions following coverage of the Anthony trial. Anthony, who is Black, was convicted by a jury that rejected his self-defense claim in the stabbing of Metcalf, who was White. The trial drew national attention and intense debate, including claims of racial motivation on both sides — which prosecutors and defense attorneys rejected as irrelevant to the facts of the case.

Law enforcement emphasized that random violence and hate-driven attacks have no place in society, regardless of the underlying grievances. If convicted, the women could face lengthy prison sentences.

The investigation remains ongoing.