Cheer competition continues in Dallas after scare
After a fight at the NCA All-Star National Championship on Saturday caused chaos, the competition resumed on Sunday. FOX 4’s Amelia Jones talked to families about their decision to compete.
DALLAS – Dallas Police say during the evacuation of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on Saturday, 10 people were injured.
Police say a fight at the convention center knocked over multiple poles, causing panic at the NCA All-Star National Championship.
After the chaos on Saturday, the competition resumed on Sunday.
NCA continues at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center
Extra police and security were outside the convention center in Downtwon Dallas on Sunday, a reminder of the incident the day before.
Organizers told FOX 4 that all performances that were canceled on Saturday were able to be rescheduled for Sunday.
Some teams decided not to compete after the scare.
What they’re saying:
Danielle Garvin and her daughter’s team from Ohio were inside their team room when reports of gunshots spread through the area.
Garvin says the team came together and decided to compete Sunday.
“I was a little nervous. I thought I was doing good, and then we got here, and it was just take a deep breath and let’s do this for our kids,” said Garvin.
Some parents hope this experience leads to changes in security for these large-scale competitions.
Witnesses describe chaotic scene at cheer competition
Thousands of cheerleaders and their families experienced a chaotic scene at the Downtown Dallas convention center this weekend. People ran out during the competition, fearful that there was an active shooter.
“This isn’t just Dallas. These large convention centers don’t have security, no bag checks, so we’re hoping, unfortunately, we might have to use this as a lesson learned and just hope they up security,” said Candice, a cheer mom from St. Louis.
Tiana Cody and her daughter stayed in the arena and hunkered down until they were evacuated on Saturday. Cody told her daughter it was her decision if she performed on Sunday.
“She didn’t feel pressured, I didn’t feel pressured, and it felt like a community, and I appreciate having that community,” Cody said. “Cheer is more than bows, glitter and fun. It’s a culture and the culture of cheer is that they are resilient, and they can withstand.”
Injuries on Saturday
Crowd running from incident in Downtown Dallas
Dallas police are investigating a Saturday incident that happened near Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center and the Omni Hotel in Downtown Dallas. Video sent to FOX 4 shows crowds running from the area.
What we know:
Police officials say all 10 people injured were taken to four different hospitals in the area. None of the injuries were life-threatening. The injuries range from bumps and bruises to broken bones.
The backstory:
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.
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.
The incident prompted the National Cheerleaders Association to cancel the rest of Saturday’s event.
Fight investigation
What we don’t know:
FOX 4 has asked Dallas Police if anyone will face charges in connection to the fight that led to the investigation.
Police said no arrests have been made, but did not say if the people involved have been identified.
The incident is under investigation.
The Source: Information in this article is from the Dallas Police Department and the National Cheerleaders Association.
