NCA Cheer Competition Resumes in Dallas with Enhanced Security Measures

Image credits: WFAA

The National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) competition resumed on Sunday at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, following a mass evacuation on Saturday due to a fight between two people. The incident prompted a panic, with hundreds of people rushing outside, and 10 individuals were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. According to the Dallas Police Department, the fight led to several poles toppling, creating a loud noise that triggered the panic, with many people mistakenly believing there was an active shooter inside the building.

The competition, which has drawn around 58,000 people, including 30,410 athletes and 3,700 coaches, was suspended on Saturday as a precaution. Varsity Brands, the organization behind the NCA cheer competition, worked with event staff and local authorities to ensure a safe environment for the athletes to finish competing. The organization adjusted the schedule to allow all teams to compete as intended, with the event running until at least 11 p.m. Central on Sunday. The security measures in place included a increased police presence, with the Dallas Police Department providing additional support and presence at the convention center.

The incident on Saturday led to a "stampede" as people rushed outside, with many individuals expressing concern about a possible shooting on social media. However, the Dallas Police Department confirmed that there was no active shooter and no shooting had taken place. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with no arrests made relating to the incident. The Family Reunification Center was established at 400 N. Lamar Street to help reunite families who were separated during the evacuation.

On Sunday, the competition resumed with athletes and the crowd in good spirits, according to Varsity Brands. However, several families and athletes attending the competition elected not to return, citing concerns about safety. The organization issued a statement thanking the Dallas Police Department for their help in assessing and controlling the situation, as well as the first responders who assisted those impacted. The safety of the athletes, coaches, and spectators is the top priority, and the organization is working to ensure that the competition is completed safely and successfully.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of large events, and the need for effective emergency response plans. The NCA cheer competition is one of the largest and most popular events of its kind, and the organization is taking steps to ensure that the competition is completed safely and successfully. The event will continue to be monitored closely, with updates provided as more information becomes available. Some of the key points to note about the incident include: * The fight between two people led to a panic, with hundreds of people rushing outside * 10 individuals were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries * The Dallas Police Department confirmed that there was no active shooter and no shooting had taken place * The Family Reunification Center was established at 400 N. Lamar Street to help reunite families who were separated during the evacuation * The competition resumed on Sunday with enhanced security measures in place * The safety of the athletes, coaches, and spectators is the top priority, and the organization is working to ensure that the competition is completed safely and successfully