DALLAS – Two people knocked over “multiple poles” during a fight causing a loud noise and panic inside the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Saturday afternoon, Dallas police said.
What we know:
The convention center is hosting the NCA All-Star National Championship this weekend.
In a statement, Dallas police said the noise of the poles being knocked down caused a panic inside the building and people to start rushing outside “in a stampede.”
Authorities said no shooting occurred.
Video sent to FOX 4 shows several people running from the area.
The rush of people caused multiple non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the chaos, police said.
The incident prompted the National Cheerleaders Association to cancel the rest of Saturday’s event.
What they’re saying:
Varsity Brands, the company behind the NCA, released the following statement about the incident:
“Earlier today, the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center was evacuated as a precaution based on reports of a safety concern. NCA security officials immediately began working with the Dallas Police Department to quickly investigate, which found that the incident was triggered by an altercation between two attendees, which led to panic and multiple non-life-threatening injuries in the aftermath. We want to thank the Dallas Police Department for their help assessing and controlling the situation as well as the first responders who assisted those impacted.
“As a precaution, we suspended activities for today and will continue to work with event staff and local authorities to ensure a safe environment for our athletes to finish competing when we resume tomorrow.”
Parents and cheerleaders describe what happened inside
Parents, families and young cheerleaders panicked when reports of gunshots spread through the competition.
“It was mass pandemonium,” David Crawford said. “Everyone running all directions.”
Autumn Holub, 14, was in the bathroom when word of the potential threat started to spread.
“I got pushed into a corner, I fell, my knees hurting, my hands are hurting,” Holub said. “I thought I was going to pass out. I had no clue what I was doing.”
When she made it out and finally found her family, the sounds and sights around her were still scary.
“Crying, screaming, police officers everywhere,” Holub said. “The sirens were terrifying.”
Tricia Robleto was in her Omni Hotel room when the evacuations started. The hotel was also evacuated.
Even evacuating the hotel it’s just an eerie feeling because you don’t know what you’re coming upon,” Robleto said.
Her daughter’s squad flew in from San Diego for the event and they haven’t gotten to perform yet.
“I’m just glad that hopefully everyone will be safe, obviously the most important thing but it is disappointing you know obviously for the girls and everyone involved,” Robleto said.
Robleto was thankful to be with her daughter when they rushed out of the hotel.
Crawford, like some other parents, waited an hour to be reunited with his daughter.
“It’s what we see on the news every day, but to actually live it is horrifying in that brief moment, right? Until you hear your child’s safe, your daughter’s safe. You’re fearful,” Crawford said.
Even though it turned out to be a fight, after Saturday’s experience, many families like the Crawfords are holding onto each other a little tighter.
“I was so relieved,” Brynn Crawford said. “I was really excited, and I just ran to my dad and gave him a really big hug. I was just so excited.”
What we don’t know:
Dallas police said multiple people were hurt during the chaos. We do not know the exact injuries, just that they are not life-threatening.
Police have not said if anyone was arrested for the fight.
The NCA has not announced a revised schedule for the events that were canceled Saturday afternoon.
Live Updates
3:41 p.m. – Dallas police said a fight between two people led to poles being knocked down and a panic inside the convention center. They said multiple people were hurt during the chaos but none of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening.
2:45 p.m. – DART is resuming normal train operations. They’re warning of possible delays to the regular schedule.
2:35 p.m. – Dallas Police confirmed there is no active shooter at the convention center.
2:15 p.m. – The National Cheerleaders Association says competition has been suspended for the rest of the day.
DART says that passengers may experience delays due to police activity in the area.
This is a developing story. Check back with FOX 4 for updates.
The Source: Information on the the incident at the convention center came from Dallas police. Information on the cancelation of Saturday’s events came from the Nation Cheerleaders Association.
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