US EditionSD Student Describes Chaos at National Debate Meet
POLK COUNTY, IOWA, JUN 19 – The disruption led to evacuation and suspension of the tournament; organizers expected over 10,000 attendees, with no injuries reported and one person taken into custody.
- On June 19, 2025, during the Humorous Interpretation Finals at a major speech and debate event held at the EMC Expo Center in Des Moines, a man unexpectedly rushed the stage.
- His behavior prompted safety concerns that led officials to evacuate the EMC Expo Center and take the individual into custody before 3 p.m.
- No weapons were seen or recovered, no injuries were reported, and law enforcement swept the venue before allowing participants to reenter.
- A witness described a mass dash from the hall, while organizers set up a reunification area and provided nurses and EMTs on site.
- The tournament was suspended Thursday but planned to resume later with a revised schedule, with updates due by 4 PM CT, confirming this was an isolated incident.
12 Articles
12 Articles
SD student describes chaos at national debate meet
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Lincoln High School student Jackson Klawonn was watching his last speech and debate tournament as a senior in Des Moines when someone rushed the stage, leading to mass panic. High schoolers from across the country were in Iowa on Thursday for the National Speech and Debate Tournament. Shortly before 3 p.m., someone rushed onto the stage, made a threatening joke and gesture, causing students to panic and flee the conve…
Broward judge intervenes, helps detain suspect during disturbance at debate tournament
Broward County Judge Francis Viamontes sat in the second row at the EMC Expo Center in Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday afternoon. She had a VIP ticket to the 2025 National Speech & Debate Tournament to watch her daughter compete in the Humorous Interpretation Finals category of the highly regarded event. Hundreds were in the auditorium, including students from many schools in Broward County, Viamontes said. After her daughter had competed, Viamont…
Josh Gad Details ‘Frightening’ On-Stage Moment at Iowa Event, Says He Was ‘Trampled Numerous Times’ | Just Jared: Celebrity News and Gossip
Josh Gad is opening up about the “frightening” experience that occurred when a man rushed the stage at a Speech & Debate competition in Iowa, which led audience members to storm out of the venue in fear. The 44-year-old Frozen actor says that he was “trampled numerous times” in the terrifying moment and he says he’ll “never forgive that individual” for the fear he caused in the crowd. Josh attended the National Speech and Debate Tournament final…
Wyoming man charged in connection to evacuation at EMC Expo Center downtown
DES MOINES, Iowa -- A Wyoming man has been charged in connection to the evacuation at the EMC Expo Center in downtown Des Moines on Thursday. At around 3 p.m., the Des Moines Police Department and Polk County Sheriff's Office responded to the National Speech and Debate Tournament at the EMC Expo Center for a report of a man who got onto the stage and reportedly displayed behavior that "prompted safety concerns." According to the DMPD, those safe…
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