An elderly Kansas City T-Mobile Center employee was brutally attacked by a teenager at a recent rap concert, sparking outrage and raising questions about safety and respect for elders.
Thomas Schlange, 66, was working at the NBA YoungBoy concert Sunday night when he asked a young man to move from a seat he wasn’t assigned to. According to reports, the teen responded with shocking violence.
Eyewitness video shows the teen shoving Schlange into a row of seats and then unleashing a barrage of punches. Schlange, who doesn’t remember much of the assault, recalled the teen’s uncontrolled rage and his own need to escape.
“It is serious; I went down and had blows to my head,” Schlange stated. “He was so enraged, so we were just, in essence, trying to protect the fans.”
The video shows the disoriented Schlange trying to get up, but the teen stood over him, continuing the assault. Another concertgoer eventually intervened, stopping the attack.
Police arrested the teen but later released him to his parents, pending further investigation. Authorities confirmed the suspect is under 16.
Schlange was hospitalized with injuries. He already suffers from glaucoma, and his family fears the assault may cause further damage to his eye. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with medical expenses.
“We are devastated for the injustice of this person and other attendees that didn’t stop that guy at all,” said Schlange’s grandson, Herber Lopez.
After nearly two decades on the job, Schlange never anticipated becoming a victim of such violence. “The message is: we, as young adults or people growing into adulthood, we need to learn how to control our anger,” he said.
A T-Mobile Center spokesperson called the attack “horrific” and unacceptable, emphasizing that violence of any kind is not tolerated at the venue.
The incident has ignited a broader discussion about the decline in respect for authority and the increasing prevalence of youth violence. Many are asking what can be done to instill a sense of responsibility and respect in young people. Some believe that stronger families and communities are crucial in shaping the character of the next generation. Others call for stricter accountability for juvenile offenders.
The rise of violent incidents like this one raises concerns about the values being taught to young people today. It is essential that parents, educators, and community leaders work together to emphasize the importance of respecting elders, obeying the law, and resolving conflicts peacefully. A return to traditional values and a renewed emphasis on personal responsibility may be the key to preventing such incidents in the future.
Following the violence that broke out at the T-Mobile Center, the United Center in Chicago announced it had canceled an NBA YoungBoy concert. The venue did not provide a specific reason for canceling the show.
