What was meant to be a celebration of the 30th anniversary of NCA All-Star Nationals turned into a scene of chaos on Saturday afternoon when an altercation at the adjacent Omni Hotel escalated into mass panic at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. The venue, hosting thousands of athletes and spectators, was evacuated following a false report of an active shooter, leading to injuries, fear, and disruption of the event.
The NCA All-Star Nationals, founded in 1995 by Lance and Carol Wagers, was the first cheerleading competition dedicated specifically to the growing all-star cheerleading market, which exploded throughout the 1990s. Many of today’s leading all-star gyms were established during this pivotal time, and NCA’s event quickly became the gold standard for national-level competitions. This year’s event, the largest in its history, featured 1,712 teams, 30,410 athletes, and 3,700 coaches from 43 states and nine countries. According to the Dallas Sports Commission, the economic impact of the event on the Dallas metro area was estimated at $64 million, making it a significant contributor to the city’s economy.
According to officials and eyewitness accounts, the confusion began with a verbal dispute between two attendees in the hallway of the Omni Hotel, which is directly connected to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. As the altercation escalated, yelling drew attention, and in the commotion, multiple poles used for temporary walls at a vendor booth were knocked to the ground, creating a loud crashing noise.
Update: New Video shows altercation from today’s event in Dallas pic.twitter.com/f4uEc4xdVY
— Cheer Daily (@CheerDailyX) March 2, 2025
“When the girl screamed, everyone started running. They knocked over the makeshift walls built with poles and curtain,” [commonly referred to as ‘pipe and drape’] used as dividers at the Duck Stuffed Animal vendor setup,” said one witness, a coach at the event, who described the scene as unfolding within seconds.
Dallas Police initially responded to reports of an active shooter around 1 p.m. but later confirmed that no shots were fired. Instead, a loud noise caused by knocked-over poles led to panic, causing attendees to rush for the exits. The sounds, amplified by an already bustling event space, ignited a chain reaction. As people fled, an individual on the escalator reportedly shouted, “Active shooter!” The statement spread like wildfire. Fear rippled through the convention center as coaches, parents, and athletes scrambled to find safety.
Within moments, competition routines were halted mid-performance. Athletes were ushered off the mat, and response protocols were activated. NCA officials and security personnel moved quickly to manage the situation, but by then, the fear had already set in.
Amidst the chaos, accounts of bravery emerged. Coaches, gym owners, and staff acted swiftly to protect athletes, guiding them to safe spaces and helping to maintain what order they could as the situation unfolded. Many coaches took charge, ensuring their athletes stayed together and out of harm’s way. Gym owners provided support, comforting distressed athletes and parents who were left shaken by the ordeal.
Dallas Police have confirmed that so far the investigation concludes that there were no shots were fired and stated that the loud noise from multiple poles falling during the altercation led to the stampede.
Update regarding incident at 650 S. Griffin Street. pic.twitter.com/GxNGrhy3pk
— Dallas Police Dept (@DallasPD) March 1, 2025
Varsity All Star, the event organizer, announced that all competition was suspended for the remainder of Saturday but resumed on Sunday with enhanced security measures.
Police have not yet confirmed whether any arrests have been made.
The Dallas Police Department is aware of the social media posts regarding damage to the glass at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center. This damage was previously investigated as criminal mischief and was documented in 2019.
At this time, we have found no evidence that a shooting occurred on Saturday, March 1, 2025. The investigation is ongoing, and we continue to review video footage.
If anyone has any information regarding a shooting offense connected to this investigation, please contact Sergeant Anthony Colon at [email protected].
The Dallas Police Department is aware of the social media posts regarding damage to the glass at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center. This damage was previously investigated as criminal mischief and was documented in 2019. (1/3)
— Dallas Police Dept (@DallasPD) March 3, 2025
In the aftermath, Varsity Spirit President Bill Seely released a statement addressing the incident:
“Coaches, Athletes, Families & Spectators, I wanted to take a moment to address the situation that occurred at NCA All-Star Nationals on Saturday.
As you know, the event venue was evacuated due to a safety concern. The Dallas Police Department responded immediately, and after investigating, determined that an altercation between two attendees in the Omni hotel led to multiple poles being knocked down, causing loud noises that were mistaken for gunfire. Thankfully, there was no shooting.
I understand your concerns and share your disappointment. It is deeply disheartening that an event designed to celebrate these incredible young athletes was disrupted by the actions of adults. It is also not lost on me that you and your families may process the event in different ways. While some may find comfort in returning to their usual activities, others may require different kinds of support. Here are resources compiled by Dr. Karen Lew Feirmen, Vice President of Varsity University & Event Administration, that you may find helpful.
Finally, I want to reassure you that ensuring the safety and security of our events remains of paramount importance to us. We maintain a strong security presence at our events that includes uniformed and plain-clothes officers, and we work closely with local police, fire, and rescue officials to ensure emergency response plans are in place. We are especially grateful to the swift response from Dallas emergency response officials.
The cheer community is strong. Together, we will continue to rally behind these incredible athletes and give them a platform to showcase their talents.
Thank you for continuing to support your kids and celebrate their accomplishments.”
Sincerely, Bill Seely, President, Varsity Spirit
Despite the rapid clarification that no shooter was present, the emotional weight of the evening lingers. Parents and athletes alike expressed their distress, with some questioning the preparedness for such scenarios.
In an age where mass gatherings are fraught with heightened anxiety, Saturday’s incident underscores the fragility of public safety at major events. The cheerleading world, often celebrated for its resilience and camaraderie, now faces a different kind of challenge—rebuilding trust after a night when fear overtook the sport’s biggest stage.
A very sad ending for the NCA All-Star Nationals last year in Dallas. The world’s largest cheerleading competition will move to Houston from 2026 to 2029 due to construction at the Dallas Convention Center.