An unidentified individual interrupted the National Speech and Debate Tournament, causing a brief evacuation.
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas — Fort Bend ISD officials say all students and staff are safe following a brief on-stage incident that caused an evacuation Thursday afternoon at the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa.
In a statement, the district said an “unidentified individual” entered the stage and briefly interrupted the event. The person was quickly subdued and removed from the premises.
“There were no weapons involved and no threats were made,” Fort Bend ISD confirmed.
Students from Elkins High School were present at the venue during the incident. Other FBISD schools, including Dulles, Clements, Hightower, and Austin High School, are also participating in the tournament but were not at the venue when the disruption occurred.
“We are relieved to report that all students and staff are safe,” the statement read. “We are grateful to event organizers and security personnel for their swift response and continued commitment to the safety of all attendees.”
What happened in Des Moines
According to a report from KHOU 11’s sister station, WOI, Des Moines police said a man entered the stage area during the Humorous Interpretation Finals at the EMC Expo Center. His behavior raised safety concerns and led to a temporary evacuation of the venue.
Authorities said there were no weapons involved and no immediate threats made. After a short delay, participants were allowed to return to the building.
Police identified the suspect as 22-year-old Jayden Michael Roccaforte of Cheyenne, Wyoming. He is facing multiple charges, including:
- One count of disorderly conduct
- Two counts of possession of a controlled substance
Roccaforte is currently being held at the Polk County Jail.
The National Speech & Debate Association described the man as “an unidentified attendee” in a statement, emphasizing the quick action taken to maintain a safe environment.
Shelby Young with the National Speech and Debate Association provided the following statement:
“This afternoon, an unidentified attendee entered the stage during the Humorous Interpretation Finals, interrupting the round. The individual has been subdued and removed from the premises. There were no weapons involved, and no threats were made. The hall was evacuated and there are no reported injuries. The rest of the venue has been swept for any potential threats by members of law enforcement. We understand the concerns people have, and we want to assure everyone that this is an isolated incident. We plan to resume the tournament later today and will aim to update attendees on the revised schedule by 4 PM CT.”
The tournament brings together high school students from across the country for one of the most prestigious speech and debate competitions in the nation.