LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – The Run 4 Roses basketball tournaments — a series of national girls’ events billed as the largest gathering of its kind in the world — will resume Monday at the Kentucky Exposition Center after a Sunday evacuation and postponement caused by an apparent false alarm and reports of an active aggressor.
But not everyone is coming back.
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.”
Missouri Phenom, in its statement, said: “We have made the decision to withdraw from (the) championship. Our athletes' physical and mental health is far more important than a basketball tournament. We will regroup and be ready to compete at TOC in Chicago. Thanks to all the coaches who supported and watched us.”
Many other players and programs, however, took to social media to post their updated Monday schedules in the hopes of catching the eyes of recruiters.
Thousands of players, coaches and family members were inside the Expo Center for tournament games Sunday when something prompted a rush for the exits. Emergency crews responded immediately and quickly determined there was no active threat.
Run 4 Roses officials posted on social media at 4:40 p.m. 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.”
Louisville Metro Police said a 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.
The initial call to police came around 3:15 p.m., followed by another report from the nearby Kentucky Kingdom amusement park. It also was evacuated. Police, who estimated 40,000 people were on the fairgrounds between the two venues, reported no violence at either site after their investigation.
“An initial investigation found that a mechanical issue triggered the alarm — no one pulled it,” the Run 4 Roses account posted. “This caused the initial rush out of the building. There was never a threat on site.”
Still, the confusion left many shaken. Videos shared on social media showed panicked players sprinting off the Expo Center basketball courts.
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.
Alana Odom, who was en route to the event when she learned of the evacuation, told WDRB News she felt for the athletes and families.
“It’s crazy, because all these people spend so much money just to bring their kids here,” she said. “I know it’s traumatizing. I’ve been seeing kids come out crying, and it’s sad because a lot of people don’t experience that — so they don’t know how to react.”
LMPD’s Homeland Security Unit is investigating what triggered the incident.
Tournament organizers said play will resume Monday with enhanced security measures, including bag checks and hand-held metal detector wands at all entrances.
“Please pack accordingly and arrive early to allow for delays,” they advised.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg also responded to the incident via social media.
“I am thankful that reports of an active shooter at the Fairgrounds appear to be false and no one was shot,” he wrote. “Thank you to LMPD and KFEC for their response and continuing work on the scene.”
Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved. WDRB reporter Samantha Condra contributed to this report.
