A Western Kentucky University student was arrested last week after causing a stampede at the National Speech and Debate competition in Des Moines, Iowa according to reports from WBKO and KCCI Des Moines.
Jayden Roccaforte, a 22-year-old art education major and four-time national champion and 2023 international title holder, was charged with disorderly conduct and possession of a controlled substance on June 19, according to the reports.
The Wyoming native was a registered attendee of the competition and part of the WKU Forensics team but was not competing in the event.
According to video footage from multiple social media outlets, Roccaforte interrupted the event by mounting the stage with a backpack and asked the crowd if they wanted to hear a joke. He proceeded to say “Knock knock”, then reached into one of the bags causing the audience to evacuate the room.
WKU Forensics team director Ganer Newman said in a statement that Roccaforte was not representing WKU at the time and is no longer on the school’s team.
“I can confirm that Jayden Roccoforte is no longer on the WKU Forensics team,” Newman said in the statement. “On a personal note, as a lifelong member of the speech and debate community, I was saddened for the students and coaches who experienced this disruption, and I was proud of the way the organization and its members concluded the tournament.”
National Speech and Debate Association Executive Director J. Scott Wunn released a statement after the incident announcing the cancellation of the day’s events and plans to move them to June 20.
“We want you to know that we understand how scary that was for all of us,” Wunn said in the statement. “We hear you and, above all, are committed to creating an environment where you feel safe and supported.”
Wunn announced on June 20 the competition’s revised schedule of events with increased security measures and a singular entrance.
Roccaforte was released on bond on June 20.
The College Heights Herald reached out to Roccaforte through email for comment but he did not respond.
