October 8, 2024 - As the Poultry Festival was nearing its end on Saturday, October 5, 2024, an assault took place within the vicinity of the carnival rides and law enforcement was 
alerted of what happened. Center Police Department officers converged on the square and ended up with several individuals at the intersection of Cora and Shelbyville Streets.
Officers were seen speaking with several individuals there, and with two young men in handcuffs, as well as an apparent victim of a stabbing. Officers located another individual just inside the fence and escorted him out to a patrol unit.
Many people from within the confines of the fenced area were seeking to go home, while others were arriving seeking friends and family members at the event, but it was quickly apparent the area was locked down until the officers could be sure there was no immediate threat to anyone else. More units with the Texas Department of Public Safety, Shelby County Sheriff's Department and Texas Game Wardens then arrived to help surround the fenced area of the event.
According to a press release from the Center Police Department, a physical disturbance occurred around the ferris wheel [at the Poultry Festival], at approximately 8:30pm. Initial 911 calls received by the Center Police Department communications center, stated a large group or people were fighting, and weapons were involved.
Officers responded to the area and observed a large group of individuals actively fighting. While officers were breaking the disturbance up, a large number of people began to flee from officers on foot. Officers quickly pursued the individuals and were able to apprehend the parties involved in the initial disturbance.
The press release continues, During the investigation, officers learned that one person had been stabbed, he was identified as Or' Larryian Moore, 18, from Center. EMS was notified and Moore was transported to the Center Emergency Department for treatment of his wounds.
It was then learned that a firearm was brandished, but never shot. Officers attempted to locate the firearm, and it was learned that a juvenile female involved in the incident took the firearm and handed it to another person who was successful at exiting the festival with it.
During the investigation, a suspect was identified as Jikei Cartwright, 17 years of age from Shelbyville. On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, Cartwright was arrested for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, felony 2.
The press release ended by stating, Center Police Department thanks the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the Texas Department of Public Safety for their fast response and assistance with the investigation. Center Police Department also thanks the citizens who assisted with crowd control and provided information that aided in the identification of parties involved in the disturbance.
The Center Police Department knows that the actions of others and the criminal offense that took place inconvenienced some festival goers, the response and actions of the Police Department and Festival Committee were made with the safety and well-being of everyone involved in mind. Safety is the highest priority to both the P.D. and Festival Committee.
