‘Handful’ of CPS students attended national tournament where hoax threat caused evacuation
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A “handful” of students and staff from Columbia Public Schools attended a national speech and debate tournament in Des Moines, Iowa, where a hoax threat occurred, according to a district spokeswoman.
Spokesperson Michelle Baumstark wrote in a text message to ABC 17 News that fewer than 20 people from CPS were in Des Moines when an evacuation occurred. The event was held last week and the evacuation occurred on Thursday.
“It was a hold and secure and one area of the very large exhibition venue was evacuated. There was a person who appeared to be under the influence who was arrested,” Baumstark wrote. She also wrote that the hold-and-secure lasted for about 20 minutes.
Baumstark wrote that about 7,000 students from high schools and middle schools from around the country attend the event every year and that the event is held by a “third party.”
The National Speech and Debate Association on Thursday wrote on its website that an unidentifiedattendee entered the stage during the National Speech and Debate Tournament’s Humorous Interpretation Finals, interrupting the round. The individual was subdued and removed from the premises by the actions of onsite law enforcement”
The organization wrote that no weapons were involved, but “the incident scared students and otherattendees present.” It also wrote on its social media that no one was injured.
Baumstark said that a several area high schools had students in attendance. ABC 17 News has reached out to the Jefferson City School District.