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The Brief
A violent altercation between two individuals at a cheerleading event prompted immediate panic and the evacuation of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas.
According to Dallas police, the clash resulted in several poles being toppled, causing considerable noise and triggering a chaotic rush among attendees, which led to multiple injuries, none of which were life-threatening.
In light of the situation, the National Cheerleaders Association decided to cancel the remainder of Saturday’s scheduled events.
DALLAS – The incident unfolded when two attendees knocked down “multiple poles,” creating a loud disturbance that unsettled the crowd at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on Saturday afternoon, as reported by local law enforcement.
What we know
The convention center was hosting the NCA All-Star National Championship over the weekend. The ensuing panic led to a large number of attendees rushing for exits, described as a “stampede” by police, though no gunfire was reported.
Footage submitted to FOX 4 captures various individuals fleeing the crowded space amid the commotion.
Law enforcement indicated that the rush resulted in several non-life-threatening injuries due to the chaos, necessitating their response to ensure safety and order.
To assist those affected, Dallas police set up a family reunification center at 400 Lamar Street.
In response to the disturbance, the National Cheerleaders Association cancelled the continuation of Saturday’s events.
What they’re saying
Varsity Brands, which oversees the NCA, released a statement outlining the incident: “Today, the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center was evacuated as a safety precaution in light of reports of a concerning situation. Our security team collaborated swiftly with the Dallas Police to investigate, revealing that the disruption stemmed from an altercation between two individuals, inciting panic that led to multiple injuries of a non-life-threatening nature. We appreciate the support from local law enforcement and first responders during this incident.”
They further noted, “To prioritize safety, we have halted activities today and will coordinate with local officials to ensure a secure environment for our athletes as we aim to resume competitions tomorrow.”
What we don’t know
Authorities have not revealed whether any arrests were made in connection with the altercation. Additionally, the NCA has yet to issue a new schedule for the events that were stopped on Saturday.
Live Updates
3:41 p.m. – Dallas police reported that a fight between two individuals led to the knocking down of poles and subsequent panic within the convention center, resulting in several injuries that were confirmed to be non-life-threatening.
2:45 p.m. – DART announced that they have resumed standard train operations but cautioned that passengers might experience delays due to the ongoing police activity.
2:35 p.m. – Dallas police confirmed that there is no active shooter situation at the convention center.
2:15 p.m. – The National Cheerleaders Association stated that all competitions for the remainder of the day have been suspended.
DART also warned passengers of potential delays caused by the police presence in the area.
This remains a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
The Source
Details about the incident were sourced from statements made by Dallas police, and the cancellation of events was confirmed by the National Cheerleaders Association.
Source
www.yahoo.com