Investigation continues after teen assault on elderly stadium worker during NBA YoungBoy concert in Kansas City

An ongoing investigation in Kansas City has stalled at the stage of forwarding the case to prosecutors after a teenager was captured on video violently assaulting an elderly stadium worker during a NBA YoungBoy concert at the T-Mobile Center, authorities said Thursday. Police, who have not yet filed charges against the unnamed juvenile, say they are working with the Jackson County prosecutor's office as they review surveillance footage and interviews from witnesses. The Daily Mail cited the police as saying the investigation remains active as investigators pursue leads and determine potential charges in the incident that occurred Sunday night in the arena.

Thomas Schlange, 66, was working at the venue when the assault unfolded after he asked the teenager to move to the correct seat. Video of the brawl shows Schlange attempting to separate himself from the aggressive confrontation as punches rain down and his nose is broken. The footage then shows Schlange being knocked to the floor while bystanders frantically try to intervene. Schlange later described the attack as serious, telling Fox4 that he was struck in the head as he tried to manage the crowd and clear the stairs so fans could exit safely. He said he planned to meet with police on Friday as investigators continue their work.

A bystander identified as Antonio Clayter stepped in and pulled the youth away from Schlange, effectively ending the assault. In an interview with Fox4, Clayter recounted the moment the fight escalated, saying: "Thomas is backing everybody back—he's just doing his job telling everybody to clear the stairway and all of that, and the kid just keeps coming down. The kid just pushed him; he just s**** out and he pushed him. It wasn't even a feeling; it was something that had to be done. I have family members that are that age. This isn't right. I was raised with morals and values. You can't act like that, especially to our elders." Clayter emphasized that he felt compelled to intervene after witnessing the attack on someone who was simply trying to manage a chaotic situation in a crowded venue.

Robert McDaniel, who recorded the incident on video from inside the arena, told the Daily Mail that other concertgoers had already pointed the teen out as being in the wrong area. He described the attack as a brutal exchange that led Schlange to lose his glasses and fall to the floor. McDaniel’s account echoed the concern voiced by Clayter: that the incident reflected a broader problem with how some young people handle intense emotions in crowded settings. McDaniel argued that society must do more to help young people manage frustrations and avoid violence in public spaces.

Because the suspect is a minor, prosecutors must handle the case in the Jackson County Family Court. The county court system told the Daily Mail that law enforcement had not yet presented the case to the juvenile office as of Wednesday, but that investigators had been instructed to follow up. The juvenile case channel means the court would determine appropriate remedies within the framework of youth justice, rather than adult prosecution. The court noted that officials were contacted again after the latest updates on the investigation.

NBA YoungBoy, whose real name is Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, is currently on a MASA tour—Make America Slime Again—a promotional arc for the rapper that has drawn large crowds to venues across the region. The tour status provides context for the timing of the incident but does not appear to be a factor in the evolving legal process. Police and prosecutors have stressed that the focus remains on establishing the sequence of events, identifying the juvenile suspect, and determining whether charges are warranted given the defendant’s age and the severity of the injury.

The Daily Mail’s report, which compiled statements from Schlange, Clayter, and McDaniel, frames the incident as part of a broader concern about violence at public events and the ability of venue staff to manage safety in real-time. While the party responsible for the assault remains unnamed at this stage, the case underscores the role of juvenile justice in responding to violent acts by minors in high-traffic public spaces. Authorities have not provided a timetable for when the file would be submitted to prosecutors or when a court schedule might be set, noting only that investigators are continuing to gather evidence and statements from witnesses.

The incident has prompted discussions about workplace safety for event staff and the responsibilities of bystanders to intervene when necessary. Schlange’s account highlights the personal risk faced by workers who enforce seating and flow within a crowded arena. The case also illustrates how quickly a routine task—clearing space for patrons—can escalate into a violent confrontation, prompting swift action from witnesses and bystanders who intervene to de-escalate a dangerous situation. As the investigation proceeds, prosecutors will review police findings, including witness testimonies and video footage, to determine whether charges are appropriate and, if so, what penalties would apply given the juvenile status of the attacker. The public’s understanding of how such cases are handled may hinge on forthcoming updates from law enforcement and the prosecutor’s office, as well as court proceedings in Jackson County Family Court.