What was meant to be a celebration of the 30th anniversary of NCA All-Star Nationals turned into a scene of chaos on Saturday afternoon when an altercation at the adjacent Omni Hotel escalated into mass panic at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. The venue, hosting thousands of athletes and spectators, was evacuated following a false report of an active shooter, leading to injuries, fear, and disruption of the event.
The NCA All-Star Nationals, founded in 1995 by Lance and Carol Wagers, was the first cheerleading competition dedicated specifically to the growing all-star cheerleading market, which exploded throughout the 1990s. Many of today’s leading all-star gyms were established during this pivotal time, and NCA’s event quickly became the gold standard for national-level competitions. This year’s event, the largest in its history, featured 1,712 teams, 30,410 athletes, and 3,700 coaches from 43 states and nine countries. According to the Dallas Sports Commission, the economic impact of the event on the Dallas metro area was estimated at $64 million, making it a significant contributor to the city’s economy.
According to officials and eyewitness accounts, the confusion began with a verbal dispute between two attendees in the hallway of the Omni Hotel, which is directly connected to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. As the altercation escalated, yelling drew attention, and in the commotion, multiple poles used for temporary walls at a vendor booth were knocked to the ground, creating a loud crashing noise.
Update: New Video shows altercation from today’s event in Dallas pic.twitter.com/f4uEc4xdVY
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“When the girl screamed, everyone started running. They knocked over the makeshift walls built with poles and curtain,” [commonly referred to as ‘pipe and drape’] used as dividers at the Duck Stuffed Animal vendor setup,” said one witness, a coach at the event, who described the scene as unfolding within seconds.
Dallas Police initially responded to reports of an active shooter around 1 p.m. but later confirmed that no shots were fired. Instead, a loud noise caused by knocked-over poles led to panic, causing attendees to rush for the exits. The sounds, amplified by an already bustling event space, ignited a chain reaction. As people fled, an individual on the escalator reportedly shouted, “Active shooter!” The statement spread like wildfire. Fear rippled through the convention center as coaches, parents, and athletes scrambled to find safety.
Within moments, competition routines were halted mid-performance. Athletes were ushered off the mat, and response protocols were activated. NCA officials and security personnel moved quickly to manage the situation, but by then, the fear had already set in.
Amidst the chaos, accounts of bravery emerged. Coaches, gym owners, and staff acted swiftly to protect athletes, guiding them to safe spaces and helping to maintain what order they could as the situation unfolded. Many coaches took charge, ensuring their athletes stayed together and out of harm’s way. Gym owners provided support, comforting distressed athletes and parents who were left shaken by the ordeal.
Dallas Police have confirmed that so far the investigation concludes that there were no shots were fired and stated that the loud noise from multiple poles falling during the altercation led to the stampede.
Update regarding incident at 650 S. Griffin Street. pic.twitter.com/GxNGrhy3pk
