DES MOINES, IA — The Plymouth Speech Team had a scare, but all are safe after a reported “live shooter” incident at the National Speech Finals in Des Moines, IA.
According to an online report from KCCI News in Des Moines, Thursday afternoon, a Wyoming man was arrested after he “entered the stage area during event activities” for the National Speech and Debate Tournament finals at the EMC Expo Center in Des Moines.
A news release from the Des Moines Police Department, said the man’s “behavior prompted safety concerns and the immediate area was evacuated.”
He was later identified as 22-year-old Jayden Michael Roccaforte, of Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Authorities say it happened just before 3 p.m., and officers working the event took Roccaforte into custody.
Roccaforte has been charged with disorderly conduct and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.
In a Facebook post yesterday, Plymouth Speech Coach and retired PCSC Superintendent Dan Tyree reported that “…There was no weapon or gun, but someone yelled run, and the 3,000 people in the audience ran. It was a panic, rightfully so, but all is fine. The person was arrested and taken away. Plymouth’s coaches immediately contacted our students, and within 10 minutes, there was a coach with all the students.”
The area was safely cleared, and participants were allowed back into the event center around 4 p.m.
