Dallas Convention Center safe: Police dismiss active shooter reports at NCA event
Chaos erupted at the NCA cheerleading competition amid a false active shooter alarm.
On Saturday, a wave of panic swept through the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas during the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) All-Star Championship. Initial reports of an active shooter led to a mass evacuation, but authorities later confirmed that no shots were fired and that an alleged fight was the reason for the chaos.
The alarm was triggered around 1 p.m. when a fight between two individuals resulted in several poles being knocked over, producing a loud noise that many mistook for gunfire. This misunderstanding caused attendees to flee the venue in panic. The Dallas Police Department swiftly responded, clarifying that there was no active shooter and that the commotion came from the accidental noise.
NCA event at Dallas Convention Center threatened
The NCA All-Star National Championship, which kicked off on Thursday and was set to run through Sunday, typically draws tens of thousands of visitors to Dallas, filling hotels and boosting the local economy with various side events. However, a fight that broke out during a peak crowd moment quickly shifted the celebratory mood to chaos.
Videos captured massive crowds running around the streets near the convention center and the Omni Hotel as panic spread. In response, Dallas police established a family reunification center at 400 Lamar Street to help reconnect separated parents and children. In the meantime, emergency responders provided on-site medical aid to the injured.
Active shooter reports were dismissed
Erika Castañeda, a parent present at the event, described the sudden chaos: "All of a sudden you heard somebody scream bloody murder, and before you knew it, people were just running in panic and trampling over each other." Similarly, Navarro Cheer coach Ryan Johnson recounted how he and others sought safety amidst the confusion, noting that the rush to escape likely led to more injuries than the initial incident.
In light of the incident, Varsity Brands, the organizer of the NCA competition, suspended all activities for the remainder of the day. They emphasized their commitment to safety and are collaborating with law enforcement to ensure a secure environment before resuming the event. No arrests have been made so far, but authorities continue to investigate the incident.