India, June 20 -- A Wyoming-based artist was taken into custody after allegedly sparking panic during the finals of the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Iowa. The event, which hosts students from middle and high schools across the country, was disrupted when Jayden Roccaforte's "behavior prompted safety concerns and the immediate area was evacuated," according to the Des Moines Police Department.

Jayden Roccaforte is a highly accomplished Wyoming-based artist and poet who has made a name for himself in the competitive world of speech and debate. A four-time national champion and international titleholder as of 2023, he has competed at both high school and collegiate levels, representing Cheyenne East High School, Casper College, ...