Lincoln rec center employee cited in fight with two teens, police say
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A man was cited Sunday after a fight with teens at the Air Park Rec Center, the Lincoln Police Department says.
Around 3:15 p.m., officers were called to the rec center near Northwest 48th and Mike Scholl streets on a report of a disturbance.
A rec center employee – 38-year-old Brent Lopez – called police asking for help removing a group of teens who had threatened a 12-year-old boy.
SEE ALSO: DHHS caseworker injured in shooting in north Lincoln
Security video showed the boy pushing a 14-year-old girl, and the employee told her to leave the gym, police said.
Later on, the 14-year-old girl returned with a 15-year-old girl, both of whom refused to leave.
Lopez tried to escort the 14-year-old out of the gym. But police said she flailed and “possibly struck” the employee.
In response, Lopez punched the girl, according to police. The 15-year-old was also punched when she tried to intervene.
Lopez then went back to the 14-year-old and hit her again, police said.
He was cited on suspicion of two counts of misdemeanor assault.
In a statement, Lincoln Parks & Recreation Director Maggie Stuckey-Ross said Lopez is no longer employed with the city.
“The safety of the community members using our facilities is our number one priority,” she said.
Editor’s note: Channel 8 initially did not name Lopez because the charges in this case are misdemeanors. But on Tuesday, he was arrested on suspicion of two felonies.
