Parent brawl at prestigious cheerleading competition sends thousands fleeing in terror. What started as a heated dispute between adults quickly escalated into a chaotic scene that left many believing an active shooter was on the premises.
At a Glance
- A fight among parents at the NCA All-Star National Championship in Dallas caused panic and mass evacuation
- Loud noises from knocked-over poles were mistaken for gunshots, though no shooting occurred
- Ten people were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries ranging from bumps to fractures
- Saturday’s competition was suspended, but the event resumed on Sunday
- The championship draws over 30,000 athletes from 43 states and 9 countries
Parents’ Brawl Sparks Mass Panic
A major cheerleading competition in Dallas descended into chaos Saturday when a fight between parents triggered mass panic and injuries. The incident at the 2025 NCA All-Star National Championship at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center caused frightened attendees to flee in all directions after loud noises from the altercation were mistaken for gunshots.
Dallas police quickly responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a possible active shooter, but confirmed no shots were fired. The convention center, packed with an estimated 58,000 attendees, was evacuated as a precaution, with authorities establishing a family reunification center at 400 North Lamar Street to help separated families reconnect in the aftermath.
Multiple Injuries Reported
The sudden stampede of frightened attendees resulted in several injuries as people scrambled to evacuate the building. Emergency responders treated multiple people at the scene, with ten individuals requiring hospitalization. According to officials, none of the injuries were life-threatening but varied in severity.
“All of the injuries were sustained during the evacuation, and none were life-threatening. They ranged in severity from bumps and bruises to extremity fractures,” Dallas-Fire Rescue spokesman Jason Evans said.
Witnesses described scenes of terror as crowds rushed toward exits. Parents became separated from children as the panic spread throughout the massive venue. The prestigious competition, which awards winners a share of $500,000 in cash and prizes, draws competitors and spectators from across the nation. Despite the terrifying experience, no arrests have been made as police continue their investigation.
Parents and Competitors Describe Chaos
Attendees painted a harrowing picture of the scene that unfolded when the altercation began. Many described the confusion and fear as people began running, with no clear information about what was happening. Families became separated in the rush, adding to the panic as parents desperately searched for their children among the fleeing crowds.
“The moms were sitting there and all I know was we were just looking around and people were screaming — running, jumping off all the bleachers,” NCA cheer mom Makayla Cossey said.
“She (her daughter) was in all-out panic trying to find me. She was like, ‘I’m outside, I’m outside.’ We were still inside, and we saw people running everywhere. It was just mayhem. It was crazy,” Cheer mom Joyce Sterling said.
Resilience on Display as Event Continues
Despite Saturday’s terrifying disruption, the competitive spirit of the cheerleading community remained unbroken. While some teams opted not to compete following the incident, many returned on Sunday to continue with the prestigious championship. The event, which is expected to generate $64 million in economic impact for Dallas, resumed operations with heightened security protocols.
NCA security officials continue to work with local law enforcement to investigate the incident and have implemented additional measures to prevent similar situations from occurring. The championship, which features over 30,000 athletes from 43 states and 9 countries, showcases the best cheerleading talent in the nation and remains one of the sport’s most prestigious competitions.
