Death of boy who fell from Staples Center luxury box ruled an accident

The L.A. County coroner has determined that the death of a toddler who fell from a luxury box at Staples Center after a Lakers game Sunday was an accident.

An autopsy of Lucas Anthony Tang determined the 2-year-old died of multiple traumatic injuries but found no evidence of foul play.

Lucas posed with his parents and his 11-year-old sister in front of a glass barrier meant to protect fans from the steep drop below. But as the family reviewed the pictures on their digital camera, they lost track of Lucas. In the moments that followed, the toddler somehow made his way over the barrier. He plummeted nearly 30 feet, landing on a row of empty plastic seats.

Lucas, who would have turned 3 in January, was pronounced dead at a hospital early Monday morning.

David Lara, a spokesman for the L.A. Department of Building and Safety, said the luxury box barriers fully complied with building codes when Staples Center was built and still do today.

The Los Angeles Police Department's juvenile division has launched an investigation into Lucas' death, which it said is routine in such a case.

A person who knows the family told The Times that the parents had kept a close eye on Lucas, who spent most of the game on his mother's lap.

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-- Andrew Blankstein

Comments

[Sabrina]

There is probably nothing more heartbreaking than the death of a child. RIP dear little Lucas Anthony Tang. My thoughts and prayers are with his family today.

[Luffs]

To the parents of the little angel Lucas...After having lost a little child to a horrific accident 26 years ago, I know exactly how you feel. My heart goes out to you. Please...do NOT blame yourselves. Grieve as you should and then work to correct the problem that caused your son's death. Find the strength within yourselves to make sure that the Staples Center makes the glass barrier much higher.

[Jaime]

I may sound insensitive when I say this but as a parent myself, especially when my daughter was Lucas' age, I always made it a point that I would make sure that my daughter would not get hurt, aside from the usual falls and bumps that they have at that age, especially if we were going to be above ground level. All parents know that a child of 2 years of age cannot be left unsupervised no matter what because they are always looking for something to do and want to explore their surroundings, especially new ones. Yes, accidents do happen, but a lot of times they can be prevented. I think that the Tang's failed to realized this at the moment when they got caught up with being in a luxury box and watching a Laker game. Personally, If I had taken my 2 year old to the game, which I highly doubt that I would have done so since a child of that age is not even going to enjoy themselves, I would have supervised him at ALL times. Every time I am at an arena or even the local mall, I always think about how the rails are so low and that there is always a possibility that a little guy like Lucas can just run over and climb the rails and fall to their death. It is a tragic situation and I feel for the Tang family. My prayers go out to them.

[Lakerz4Life24]

There are questions being raised in several articles of whether the Tangs were actually watching the game from the suite or slipped in after the game was over to take photos or perhaps partake in the leftover food and drinks. If that was the case, the Staples Center needs to look into their security at the suites. Normal ticket holders SHOULD NOT have access to luxury suites which are paid for usually by corporations and off-limits to non-suite ticket holders.

The fact the Tangs were taking photos AFTER the game suggests they were not in the suite during the game. If they HAD been in the suite during the game and therefore BELONGED in the suite, they would have noticed the low glass partition.

It seems whoever owns that luxury suite for the season, which costs roughly $300,000 has their experience ruined forever. Most likely next season they will ask to move to another suite, but it's unlikely that another occupant would agree to switch with them. Sadly for them the Tangs were not even invitees to the suite and had nothing to do with them.

This is a tragedy for Lakerland. I hope this does not affect our chances for the title this year. Remember, winning this year would tie us for most titles with the Celtics, tie Kobe with Jordan for the number of rings, and most time critically, would give Phil Jackson his 4th three-peat, something that can only happen THIS SEASON.

GO LAKERS!!!

[brian]

this is a sad thing that happened but i think it's a lil premature to talk about changing the the glass barrier. It meets the required code and if they make the glass go any higher your going to be watching the whole game through it. People pay BIG money for these luxury boxes and if the glass is any high it will devalue all of the suites like the times said they are leased for upwards of $300,000 a year.
i know the boxes weel too, i've been to them several times over the last three Kings Seasons. i even trip on the three steps down to the front row box seats and my shin landed on the corner of the ledge the the glass barrier sits one. not even close to going over the edge.
u wanna feel like you gona fall over the edge sit in the top section nose bleeds. that area is steep.

[Marcy]

Change the entire Staples center because of a parental-preventable accident which had never occurred before in its history? Why not just tear it down - that will prevent any and all potential accidents there. Then we can ban all vehicles, because sometimes accidents happen and people die. Then ban walking because sometimes people get hurt. The "problem that caused their son's death" was in fact, directly attributable to themselves, sorry to say.

[Nathan]

Luffs - Thanks for posting in here. I'm not sure if the Tangs will ever see your message to them, but it is heartening to me to see that there are still a few people out there capable of feeling and expressing empathy.

The message boards for stories about this incident have been disgusting - filled with vitriol, uninformed judgment, self-righteousness from more fortunate parents, and heartless condemnation and sickening, morbid humor from people who are clearly non-parents (and perhaps for the better).

[Mary]

So sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace.

[michael]

Those glass barriers always seemed a little low to me.

[Ben]

Hmm..I think the parents should blame themselves. Its their responsibility to protect their son.

No sugar coating here.

They were in a public place.

Sorry.

[LBC1123]

My deepest sympathy to the Tang family. As a mother of a young toddler, I read this article with shudder knowing of all the trouble a young one can get into. It is absolutely irrelevent that the Tang family may have not been in the box during the game, this does not relieve the Staples Center of foreseeable preventable accidents. Was this foreseeable? Absolutely. All that may have been required to prevent this tragedy may have been the addition of 6-12 inches of glass. This is so sad....

[TN]

@Nathan:

I think many of the comments you are describing are the result of the many emotions this story has conjured up within us. Personally, I feel great sadness for the loss of this little boy and the guilt his parents will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Conversely, I feel angry and outraged that parents can be so careless. Two years old is essentially still a baby, and a baby has no place at a major sporting event. True thousands, if not millions of babies have gone to sporting events and lived through the experience, but really, what good can be gained from taking jr to the game?

I go to UCLA games at the Rose Bowl when it's 95 degrees and I see parents with babies in the hot sun. It baffles me that people can be so out of touch.

Bottom line, just like when a baby dies after being left in a hot car, this story is a real tragedy, but I have a hard time calling it an 'accident'.

[LBC1123]

Ben: Why would there be no responsibilty for the Staples Center to ensure the safety of patrons? Would you feel the same for example visitng a zoo and falling into an exhibit with a low wall? Would the zoo have no responsibility because it is open to the public? I don't get your post, it makes no sense. Of course, responsibility is required of parents to make sure that their child is safe, however, there is still responsibility placed upon the facility to prevent foreseeable accidents if such preventative measures are reasonable. Staples Center must make immediate changes to prevent another terrible accident like this.

[lisann]

Anyone wondering why we have so many problems in Los Angeles can just take a look at these comments. Only a tiny minority have any compassion or even deceny. From the rest? No sympathy, no pity, just a rush to judge and condemn a family whose lives have been devastated by terrible ACCIDENT. The first reaction of so many is, That would NEVER happen to me, I'm BETTER THAN THAT. Lakerz4life surely put his values on display here! .

[concerned citizen]

"Ruled an accident"......Give me a break! Did you really think they would ruled otherwise? Boy, they sure took care of staples from civil liability. Nevertheless,Staples needs to raise their glass partitions, specially at the higher levels, and up their security...They can sure afford it! I'm sure the lil man is now flying with the angels.

[Andrew]

Just looking at that pic its not hard to block someone from going towards the ledge. What actually happened up there who knows. RIP to the little boy

[Eric of Reseda]

@Luffs - To the parents, you wrote, "Please...do NOT blame yourselves." Who should they blame? Lucas?

Indeed a tragedy, but immediately letting these people off the hook is bs. They killed a 2 year-old, pure and simple. Call it an accident, if you want. But letting a 2 year-old out of your sight a mere inches from a potential 30-50 ft fall is criminal child neglect.

This kid died so everybody could fawn over some pictures. As texting on the road kills, so did this. Another gift from the digital age....

[Angel]

As a mother of twin boys, I certainly understand how this kind of accident can so easily occur.

May the Tang family find some peace after this tragedy...

[LilySweet]

I feel nothing but sadness and compassion for the Tang family. Whether they were at fault or not, it was an accident and their precious child is dead.

Lakerz4Life24 I hope your comments were a pathetic attempt at sarcasm. If not you are an example of the lowest form of a so called Lakers fan and even worse the lowest form of humanity. I'm guessing you were one of those "fans" out there "celebrating" last year during the post-championship riots, er uh party. Wait, I know, aren't you the moron pictured in the LAT pushing the burning shopping cart?

[Will]

This is no different then taking your eyes off your child while at a busy intersection and then blaming the city for not erecting enough barriers to keep your child from running into the street.

[Mindy]

@ Lakerz4Life24 :

Reading your comment, one can tell that you have NO HEART AT ALL!!!
You are so IMMATURE and SELFISH!!!!
If the accident were to happens in your family or someone close to you, I would like to see how much you will support THE LAKER and speak the way you did!!!
Supporting the LAKER is not bad, but should that overtake the support of the Tang family?? I wonder how your mom educate you!!!! Shame one you for calling yourself a HUMAN !!!!

[LLTP_MSP]

I have read all the comments ... good and bad ... and I'd say almost the same things as they said. However, one things I'd like to tell the parents of Lucas -- LUCAS IS NOW IN HEAVEN. The Holy Scriptures assured this that all children who died will go straight to the arms of GOD. Therefore, do not despair. We know it is a tragedy, it is always a tragedy in your hearts of hearts, BUT be comforted by the thoughts that LUCAS is in a BETTER PLACE, BETTER FATHER AND MOTHER (GOD). Praise God!

[thejunglecat]

What a terrible thing to happen to a child. I don't blame anyone, but...I was shocked to know that you could bring a 2 yr. old to a Laker game. Why?

[John]

Staples had a chance to make the partition higher before it was built, after it was built and now...and they still refuse to make it higher.

[john]

Luffs, the only problem that needs to be corrected is them paying attention to their children at all times. The city has ruled that there was no code violations.