A chaotic scene unfolded at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas during the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) All-Star Nationals on Saturday, March 1, 2025, when chaos erupted due to misunderstandings following a fight among attendees. The skirmish led thousands of cheerleaders and their families to flee the facility, fearing there was an active shooter.
The incident began just after 1 p.m. when two individuals got involved in an altercation, prompting the collapse of several poles, which produced loud noises. These noises triggered panic and confusion as attendees began running for the exits, resulting in what police described as a "stampede". “The preliminary investigation determined the fight caused multiple poles to be knocked down, contributing to panic inside the building,” stated the Dallas Police Department on social media.
Approximately ten people suffered varying degrees of non-life-threatening injuries, from scrapes and bruises to more serious extremity fractures, as spectators rushed to safety, as reported by police. Videos obtained from the scene show frantic crowds scrambling from the convention center, with those witnessing the scene describing it as "pandemonium". David Crawford, who was present during the event, recalled, “Everyone running in all directions.”
Among those who were caught up in the chaos was 14-year-old cheerleader Autumn Holub, who reported being knocked to the ground as everyone surged toward the exits. “I got pushed against the wall, fell, my knees hurting,” she explained. “I thought I was going to pass out. It was just terrifying.” The sound of police sirens and the hurried evacuations amplified the sense of dread felt by all present.
The uproar led to the immediate evacuation of the convention center and adjacent Omni Hotel as authorities secured the area and sought to verify the reports of danger. The National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) responded by canceling the remainder of Saturday's events but confirmed via statement shortly thereafter, “We can confirm there was no active shooter at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.”
Despite the day’s earlier turmoil, the cheer competition resumed on Sunday morning with enhanced security measures and families returning to watch the events. “The competition resumed this morning, and athletes will be competing through this evening,” stated the NCA after the chaotic evacuation. They thanked everyone for their support and announced the performances would continue as planned, with many participants eager to proceed.
Justin Carrier, overseeing the event for Varsity Spirit, expressed, “Our focus is to create new positive memories for these athletes—hoping to eclipse or overshadow some of the memories they will have to live with forever from yesterday.” Parent feedback indicated mixed feelings about returning, with some feeling nervous but resolute. “I was nervous,” stated Danielle Garvin, whose daughter competes. “But we thought, 'Let’s do this for our kids.'”
After the initial scare, safety became the top concern for many families and attendees. Parents expressed hope for improved security practices at large-scale events, noting how the lack of measures at such venues could lead to dangerous situations. “These large convention centers don’t have security, no bag checks,” remarked one cheer mom after the incident. “We’re hoping unfortunately this might lead to lessons learned.”
The fear experienced on Saturday prompted NCA to establish more rigorous security protocols for Sunday. Reports indicated police presence was heightened, with added signage strictly prohibiting weapons within the facilities. This measure aimed to assuage fears and remind attendees of safety precautions moving forward.
Despite some teams deciding not to proceed with Sunday’s competition due to the turmoil, many opted to continue as planned to honor their commitment and support their teammates. Dance and cheer routines resumed, with competing teams returning to the mat amid lighter spirits. External distractions of fear and panic seemed to fade as routines unfolded under the watchful eyes of judges and fellow cheerleaders.
Many participants expressed relief to return to their performances, embodying the spirit of resilience present within cheer culture. “We’re so glad we’re all together. Let’s go Rays!” cheered one group, reminding everyone how cheerleading thrives on unity and support for each other. During the event, laughter and cheers broke through the residue of anxiety felt from the previous day.
Following this year's turmoil, which was expected to yield significant economic benefits for Dallas—similar to last year’s $64 million impact—organizers announced the NCA All-Star Nationals would transition to Houston for future events starting next year due to renovations at the Dallas facility. “While our relationship with Dallas has been wonderful, we look forward to our time at the George R. Brown Convention Center and Toyota Center,” shared bianco for Varsity Spirit. The cheer community, growing stronger through adversity, prepared to put the tumult behind as they celebrated victory, commitment, and the spirit of teamwork.
While the events of the weekend brought unprecedented chaos and fear, they also highlighted the need for stronger security measures and communicated the unity of the cheerleading community. Participants, families, and organizers alike vowed to learn from this incident, ensuring future competitions uphold safety for all involved.