A melee that broke out during a national cheerleading competition in Dallas over the weekend led to a mass panic, as false reports of an active shooter circulated. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center, where the National Cheerleaders Association was hosting a countrywide championship.
The Dallas Police Department reported that the initial investigation revealed a fight between two individuals resulted in several poles being knocked over, creating a loud noise. This sound triggered a wave of panic within the building, causing attendees to rush outside in a frantic stampede.
During the ensuing chaos, several people sustained injuries, some of which were life-threatening. However, authorities confirmed that no shooting took place. The fear of a potential shooter, nonetheless, sent thousands of teenage cheerleaders and their families fleeing into the streets.
Eyewitness David Crawford described the scene as “pandemonium,” with people running in all directions. Autumn Holub, a 14-year-old cheerleader, recounted being pushed into a corner and falling amidst the rush. She described the scene as filled with crying, screaming, and the terrifying sound of police sirens.
Footage from the scene showed Dallas police officers rushing to the convention center, while the nearby Omni Hotel was also evacuated. Varsity Brands, the sponsor of the NCA events, stated that the convention center was evacuated as a precautionary measure following the incident, leading to the suspension of the competition for the day.
The company further explained that the incident was sparked by an altercation between two attendees, which led to confusion and several injuries. Fortunately, none of the injuries were life-threatening. The NCA All-Star competition resumed the following morning, with athletes competing throughout the day.
Varsity Brands expressed gratitude to the athletes, coaches, staff, spectators, and Dallas emergency response officials for their support and looked forward to concluding the event on a strong note.