Chaos Erupts at Dallas Cheer Competition After Fight Causes Panic

The incident, which occurred near the Omni Hotel and Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center around 1 p.m., was triggered by a fight between two individuals. During the altercation, several poles were knocked down, creating a loud noise that caused widespread panic inside the building. As a result, thousands of people fled in a stampede, leading to multiple non-life-threatening injuries.

Injuries and Response

Dallas Fire-Rescue transported at least 10 people to hospitals, with the most severe injury being a broken leg. Several others were treated for injuries related to the chaos.

Event Suspension & Police Statement

The National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) All-Star Championship, which had over 58,000 attendees, was suspended for the rest of the day following the incident. Varsity Brands, the event organizer, released a statement confirming that no active shooter was involved and that security officials were working with law enforcement to ensure a safe environment before resuming activities. A family reunification center was set up at 400 N Lamar for those separated during the chaos.

Eyewitness Accounts

Several attendees described the terrifying moments of confusion and panic:

• Erika Castaneda, a cheerleader’s parent, recalled hearing a blood-curdling scream before crowds began running for safety.

• Ryan Johnson, a Navarro Cheer coach, was in a hospitality room when people ran inside in fear. He described the stampede as the most dangerous aspect of the situation.

• Katy Zigler, visiting from Atlanta, was waiting for an Uber outside when she saw thousands of people running downhill. She got caught in the crowd and was separated from a family member for 15-20 minutes.

• Tonya Perkins, another parent, helped an injured woman who had fallen and hit her head, using her own shirt to stop the bleeding.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

See more in: https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-police-investigating-incident-near-cheerleading-competition-in-downtown-dallas/3781232/