LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — It’s clear that a youth basketball tournament at the Kentucky Exposition Center erupted in fear and confusion on Sunday. But statements from officials don’t settle on one specific cause.
Louisville police said they believe the chaos at the state fairgrounds — initially thought to be an “active aggressor” — was the result of a ceiling tile falling on a metal chair at the same time a woman began suffering a medical emergency.
Louisville Metro Police Department spokesperson Matt Sanders said the two things appear coincidental and to be the cause of the “mass panic.” The tile hitting the chair made a “loud noise,” he said.
But Kentucky Venues, which operates the Expo Center, said in a statement Monday that the fire alarm system made “audible alerts” inside that were set off by a duct smoke sensor — but didn’t reference the possible causes mentioned by LMPD.
“Our system review is ongoing, but we wanted to confirm that the fire system is not utilized for alert purposes beyond smoke detection,” the statement said. The fire system is routinely inspected and complies with the State Fire Marshall’s Office & NFPA life safety standards. We’re grateful to our law enforcement partners from around the state who responded quickly to this situation. At this time, only minor injuries were reported, which occurred when patrons exited the property.”
Kentucky Venues hasn’t replied to a request for clarification on the differing statements.
The incident occurred around 3:15 p.m. Sunday. LMPD posted on social media just after 3:30 p.m. that there was a report of an “active aggressor” at Kentucky Kingdom and the fairgrounds.
Dozens of officers responded to the area, and the police helicopter began circling the area overheard. The nearby Kentucky Kingdom amusement park also was evacuated.
The crowds inside the Expo Center were there for the Run 4 Roses basketball tournaments, a series of national girls’ events billed as the largest gathering of its kind in the world. Police, who estimated 40,000 people were on the fairgrounds between the two venues, reported no violence at either site after their investigation.
Police later said its preliminary investigation found no credible threat to the building. Officers confirmed there was no shooting, though half a dozen people were injured while rushing to exit the facility. At about 6 p.m., organizers confirmed the incident was a false alarm and allowed guests to return and collect belongings. Games, however, were not resumed Sunday.
“We are deeply thankful that initial reports indicate no one was harmed. The facility remains closed at this time,” David Beck, president and CEO of Kentucky Venues, said in a statement Sunday. “We are grateful for the swift and coordinated response from the Louisville Metro Police Department, our on-site security personnel, and public safety officials across the city. Their immediate action to search and secure the building ensured the safety of everyone on our campus.”
After the panic Sunday, at least a handful of teams, including Nike-sponsored Missouri Phenom and programs from the Wisconsin Truth, announced they are withdrawing from the event. Several college coaches also said they will not return, citing emotional trauma and safety concerns after reported loud noises and a triggered alarm sent thousands of spectators and athletes fleeing the building in panic.
“Our staff will not be attending the remainder of the Run 4 Roses Championship,” Max Ethridge, associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for Maryville University in St. Louis, posted on X. “What happened today was not normal, and should not be normalized. A very sad day for our basketball family.”
Justin Weiland, head coach at Central College in Pella, Iowa, expressed similar concerns.
“I will not partake in making this feel ‘acceptable,'” he wrote. “No one, especially our youth, should have to experience that and ‘just be OK’ and play. Not after seeing tears and terror on so many faces.”
Run 4 Roses officials posted on social media at 4:40 p.m. Sunday that all games were halted for the day.
“Out of an abundance of caution, all athletes and spectators have been cleared from the venue,” the statement read. “We will be resuming Run 4 Roses Championship tomorrow, Monday, July 14.”
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