Defund-the-Police Activist With Ties to Cori Bush Now Speaks for Texas Track Star Murder Suspect's Family

Minister Dominique Alexander, a Dallas activist known for his vocal support of defunding the police and close association with former Congresswoman Cori Bush, has stepped into the spotlight as the spokesperson for the family of Karmelo Anthony—the 17-year-old accused of fatally stabbing Texas track star Austin Metcalf.

Alexander and his group, the Next Generation Action Network (NGAN), have been front and center after Anthony's bond was slashed from $1 million to $250,000. NGAN posted online that they were working with Anthony's family to secure his release, promising ongoing updates and thanking supporters for their "overwhelming support." They made it clear the legal fight was just beginning.

At a press conference Thursday, things took a dramatic turn when Alexander criticized Metcalf's grieving father for appearing at the event uninvited, calling his presence "a disrespect to the dignity of his son." Alexander didn't hold back, insisting the father "knows it's inappropriate to be near this family." The comments quickly ignited a firestorm on social media, as online sleuths resurfaced Alexander's lengthy criminal history.

Alexander's activism credentials are hard to miss—he's been a consistent supporter of Cori Bush, helping to mobilize for her successful 2020 and 2022 campaigns. Bush publicly praised Alexander and NGAN for their perseverance, and Alexander attended her swearing-in as a congresswoman. The love went both ways, with NGAN frequently celebrating Bush's actions and even joining her calls for reparations and other progressive causes.

But Alexander's past is no less high-profile. His criminal record includes a 2019 indictment on a felony family violence charge (which his partner later declined to pursue), a guilty plea in a 2021 felony theft case that led to a short jail stint, and a 2016 prison sentence for probation violations. Perhaps most disturbing, reports surfaced of a 2009 arrest for causing serious injuries to a toddler while babysitting—evidence that led a judge to charge him with a first-degree felony after he admitted shaking the child.

In addition to his activism, Alexander has been outspoken online, repeatedly advocating to "defund the police" and posting support for controversial Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, despite Farrakhan's widely condemned antisemitic statements. Alexander insisted on "putting some respect" on Farrakhan's name and publicly celebrated his birthday.

While Alexander's deep ties to Bush have flown under the radar until now, his prominent role in the Anthony case has put his past and his politics back in the national conversation. As the legal process for Karmelo Anthony unfolds, Alexander looks set to keep his voice—and his history—in the public eye.