A disturbing incident unfolded at an NBA YoungBoy concert in Kansas City when a 66-year-old worker was violently assaulted by a teenager, with numerous concertgoers capturing the event on their phones.
Identified as Thomas Schlange, the elderly employee was doing his job at the T-Mobile Center on Sunday night when he approached a teen who was improperly seated and asked him to relocate to his assigned seat, according to a report by Fox 4 News.
Footage recorded by fans depicts the moment the teenager violently threw Schlange into a row of nearby seats and began to mercilessly punch him.
Schlange recounted that he has little memory of the attack itself, only recalling the overwhelming rage of the teen and his instinct to find safety.
“It’s serious; I went down and received blows to my head,” Schlange told Fox 4 News. “His anger was so intense, and we were just trying to ensure the safety of the fans.”
After being thrown down, Schlange attempted to get back on his feet, but the teen towered over him. Despite his efforts to shield himself, the teenager repeatedly batted his arm away.
The assault escalated as the teen continued to lash out with a series of punches directed at the elderly worker’s head until a good Samaritan intervened.
Authorities arrested the teenager following the violent episode, but he was subsequently released to his parents while the investigation is ongoing.
The Kansas City Police Department confirmed that the assailant is under 16 years old, leaving the potential charges he may face unclear.
Schlange was hospitalized due to non-life-threatening injuries. His family stated on a GoFundMe page that he had pre-existing glaucoma and there are concerns that the assault could exacerbate his eye condition.
Herber Lopez, Schlange’s grandson, expressed their devastation regarding the lack of assistance from other attendees during the attack, saying, “We are heartbroken about the injustice not only to my grandfather but for everyone who was there.”
Having worked for nearly twenty years, Schlange stated he never anticipated becoming a victim of such brutal violence at his workplace.
“The takeaway is: young adults and those transitioning into adulthood need to learn how to manage their anger,” he remarked.
Schlange anticipates meeting with police on Friday as the investigation persists.
Shani Tate Ross, a spokesperson for the T-Mobile Center, described the attack as “horrific” and condemned it as unacceptable.
Ross added, “This isolated incident does not represent our venue, our community, or the thousands of attendees who enjoyed the show without incident. Violence of any kind is unacceptable at T-Mobile Center.”
The video of the assault has gone viral on social media, raising public awareness about youth violence and safety at events.
The office of Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas condemned the violent behavior and urged the public to report any information regarding the assault to the police.
The mayor’s office stated, “Concerts, sporting events, and community gatherings should be safe environments for joy and connection, not fear and harm.”
Furthermore, the venue is committed to collaborating with KCPD, prosecutors, and its staff to ensure that the perpetrators are identified and face appropriate charges over the incident that transpired on Sunday.
In response to the violence at T-Mobile Center, the United Center in Chicago has canceled an upcoming NBA YoungBoy concert set for Wednesday night.
While a specific reason for the cancellation was not provided, other events scheduled at the venue remain unaffected.
The Baton Rouge rapper is currently on his “MASA Tour,” marking his first tour in five years.
