DALLAS — A chaotic scene unfolded on Saturday at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, where the National Cheerleading Association (NCA) All-Star National Championship was taking place as thousands gathered for the popular event. Reports of alarm rang through the venue, prompting an immediate evacuation amid widespread panic fueled by rumors of gunfire.
At approximately 1 PM on March 1, Dallas police received calls about potential gunfire and rushed to the scene. The commotion reportedly stemmed from conflicts among parents present at the competition, stirring great concern among the attendees. Videos circulating on social media depicted overcrowded hallways as individuals fled the center, with some shouting about an active shooter.
"We can confirm there was no active shooter at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center," stated the Dallas Police Department on social media. They instructed the public to avoid the area surrounding the convention center and the nearby Omni Hotel. "More information will follow when it becomes available," the department added.
Interestingly, as the tumult unfolded, some participants claimed they heard shots fired. One parent expressed disbelief at police reports, stating, "Stop lying to the public. It was a drunk altercation between parents! There needs to be metal detectors or something because this is ridiculous!" This sentiment echoed the fears of many caught in the frenzy, though officers maintained the narrative of no shots occurring.
The incident prompted Varsity Brands, the organization overseeing the NCA competition, to suspend activities for the day. They assured stakeholders, saying, "The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center has been evacuated as a precaution based on reports of a safety concern. NCA security officials are working with law enforcement to quickly investigate these reports."
According to reports by WFAA, confusion grew rapidly as visible panic emerged. Cheerleader parent Erika Castaneda recounted the frightening moment; she was passing through the convention center when someone suddenly screamed. "Before you knew it, people were just running in panic and trampling over each other," she shared, grateful to escape unharmed.
Another attendee, Katy Zigler, noted, "We never heard any guns, we didn't hear shootings, we just saw the mass of people running out of the Omni Hotel." Such statements highlighted how instinctual fear took over, leading to chaos without confirmed threats.
The evacuation order led to severe disruptions. Public transport near the area experienced delays, with the Red and Blue Line trains bypassing Convention Center Station. Shuttle buses were dispatched to accommodate affected travelers. Meanwhile, at the Dallas Police Headquarters, emergency officials established a family reunification center to accommodate those who had been separated during the confusion.
The investigation by local authorities continued through the day to determine the incident's specifics and clarify its origins. Dallas police reiterated their guidance to feel secure and cooperate with law enforcement officials to dispel any emergent false narratives.
Police had previously mentioned reports of fights involving parents as the cause of the situation and not any shooting. Previous to these incidents, the NCA competition was expected to attract over 58,000 spectators, showcasing talented teams from across the United States.
While no injuries or arrests were reported by the police immediately following the incident, many parents and spectators were left shaken by the rapid escalation of chaos. Social media exploded with both fears and misinformation, causing local news outlets to frequently update the story as more details emerged. The primary concern throughout the ordeal remained the safety of those involved.
Dallas police officials confirmed the event had disrupted what should have been a celebratory occasion for cheerleaders across the nation. And, as one parent reaffirmed, "Thank God we're OK," underscoring gratitude amid clarity after initial panic receded. The chaos at the NCA cheerleading championship has generated discussions about event security and emergency management, urging organizations to bolster response strategies during crowded events.
The incident, fortunately, turned out to be not as severe as many initially feared but points to the necessity for heightened awareness and preparedness for similar events. The situation remains under investigation, and there have been calls for future measures to prevent such disturbances. Attendees left the competition ready to embrace future cheerleading events but carrying reminders of how swiftly chaos can ensue amid miscommunication and panic.