Enraged teen ruthlessly attacked worker, 66, who asked minor to change seats at rap concert
While ushering Sunday night’s rap concert at Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center, 66-year-old Thomas Schlange was beaten after he told a teen to vacate a seat that wasn’t his.
A 66-year-old event staff member was violently assaulted by a teenager during an NBA YoungBoy concert at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Sunday night, as stunned concertgoers looked on.
Thomas Schlange, who was working as an usher, was attacked after he asked a teen to move to his assigned seat, according to a report by Fox 4 News. Fan-captured video footage shows the teen shoving Schlange into a row of seats before unleashing a series of punches to his head and upper body.
“I mean, it is serious; I went down and had blows to my head,” Schlange told Fox 4. “He was so enraged, so we were just, in essence, trying to protect the fans.”
Schlange, disoriented after the attack, attempted to get up, but the teen stood over him and continued the assault. The video shows Schlange trying to shield himself with his arm, which the attacker repeatedly slapped away before landing more punches. The attack ended when a bystander intervened.
The Kansas City Police Department confirmed the assailant is under the age of 16. The teen was arrested at the scene but later released to his parents as the investigation continues. Authorities have not yet announced what charges, if any, will be filed.
Schlange was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. His family says the incident may have worsened pre-existing glaucoma in one of his eyes. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help cover medical expenses.
“We are devastated by the injustice—not just from the attacker, but from other attendees who didn’t step in to help,” said Herber Lopez, Schlange’s grandson.
After nearly 20 years working events, Schlange said he never expected to become the victim of such violence. He hopes the incident sends a larger message.
“The message is: we, as young adults or people growing into adulthood, we need to learn how to control our anger,” he said.
Schlange is scheduled to meet with investigators again on Friday as police continue their inquiry.
Shani Tate Ross, a spokesperson for the T-Mobile Center, called the attack “horrific” and emphasized that it does not reflect the values of the venue or the Kansas City community.
“This isolated incident does not reflect our venue, our city, or the thousands of guests of all ages who enjoyed the show without incident,” Ross said. “Violence of any kind is unacceptable at T-Mobile Center.”
The video of the assault has gone viral on social media, sparking broader conversations about youth violence and safety at public events.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas’s office also condemned the attack and urged anyone with information to contact police.
“Concerts, sporting events, and community gatherings should be safe places of joy and connection—not fear or harm,” the mayor’s office said in a statement. “The venue will work with KCPD, our prosecutors, and our employees to ensure the assailants are identified and charged for the criminal conduct that occurred Sunday evening.”
In the wake of the incident, the United Center in Chicago announced it had canceled NBA YoungBoy’s concert originally scheduled for Wednesday. The venue did not give a specific reason for the cancellation, and no other events at the arena have been canceled.
NBA YoungBoy, a rapper from Baton Rouge, is currently on his “MASA Tour”—his first tour in five years.
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