Elderly Kansas City usher attacked by teen at NBA YoungBoy concert
66-year-old Thomas Schlange hospitalized after urging a seat change; police say the attacker was under 16 and investigation continues as venues assess safety protocols.
An elderly Kansas City usher was severely beaten during an NBA YoungBoy concert at T-Mobile Center on Sunday night, authorities said. Thomas Schlange, 66, was working the event when he asked a teenage concertgoer to move from a seat that wasn’t his, prompting a violent confrontation captured on bystander video.
Video of the incident shows the teen rising from a seat, throwing Schlange to the ground and looming over him as other fans watch. Schlange said he remembers being struck while trying to defend himself. He told Fox 4 News that he recalls the moment as, “I went down and had blows to my head,” and that the assailant “was so enraged.” Schlange also described the attacker repeatedly punching him as he attempted to shield himself and protect other fans.
Schlange, who has spent nearly two decades on the job, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. He told Fox 4 News that he never imagined such violence would occur on the job and urged young adults to learn how to control their anger. Investigators say Schlange’s injuries are not life-threatening, but they left him in the hospital while the incident was being reviewed.
Police said the teenager involved was under 16 at the time of the assault and was arrested at the scene, but released to his parents while authorities continue to investigate. The Kansas City Police Department did not specify potential charges, noting only that the suspect remained under age and that the case remains open.
A spokesperson for the T-Mobile Center, Shani Tate Ross, called the attack “horrific” and unacceptable. The venue emphasized that the incident does not reflect the venue, the city or the many guests who enjoyed the show without incident, and said it would cooperate with police and prosecutors to identify and charge the assailant for criminal conduct.
The attack prompted swift public reaction. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas’s office condemned the violence and urged anyone with information about the incident to share it with police. The mayor’s office said the venue would work with the police department, prosecutors and employees to ensure the assailants are identified and held accountable.
The incident also rippled beyond Kansas City. Following the violence at T-Mobile Center, the United Center in Chicago canceled an NBA YoungBoy concert set for Wednesday night. The venue did not specify a reason for the cancellation, and no other shows at the venue were canceled. YoungBoy, a Baton Rouge-based rapper, is touring on his MASA Tour, his first in five years.
The video’s spread across social media has heightened concerns about youth violence and event safety. Schlange’s experience underscores the risks venue staff can face while maintaining order at large gatherings. He told Fox 4 News that he hoped his experience would serve as a cautionary note to others and that, in his words, the next generation should work on anger management so public spaces remain safe for fans and staff alike.
Authorities said the investigation remains active. Schlange is scheduled to meet with police on Friday as investigators continue to piece together the events surrounding the assault. The case will likely hinge on whether the teen’s acts meet the threshold for charges and whether additional information emerges from surveillance footage and witness accounts. In the meantime, venues and city officials emphasize that safety at concerts and other large events must remain a shared responsibility among organizers, law enforcement and attendees.