https://instagram.com/p/wIK-sKBvGr
I know what you’re thinking everyone—Florida, right? No sir. This happened at Madison Square Garden during last night’s Nets/Knicks game. Apparently, a well known Nets fan got into it with someone else and beat him with his prosthetic leg. Let me repeat that. A man took off his leg, something he needs for walking and stuff, and used it as a weapon on another human being.
That’s when security removed him from the arena, sans leg.
https://twitter.com/NickMetallinos/status/539979677180657664
This is allegedly the weapon in question.
Only in NY will a fan remove his leg to stop security from kicking him out (it didn't stop them). #Knicks #MSG pic.twitter.com/dIZwVBmGJk
— Eric Soufer (@EricSoufer) December 3, 2014
Last month, the New York Times profiled a Nets superfan named Jeffrey Vanchiro. We mention this because Vanchiro also has a prosthetic leg.
When he was 21, Vanchiro lost the lower part of his left leg in an accident. He has had a prosthetic leg ever since. Vanchiro proudly noted that he is a “B. K. amputee” — below the knee. “I just turned it on after that experience,” he said, explaining his compulsiveness. “I didn’t give half-effort anymore.”
To be clear, we’re not sure if the prosthetic leg wielding man is Vanchiro. For all we know, there are two fans out there with prosthetic legs and one of them is super mean and beats people with it, and the other is a pacifist.
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*UPDATE: There seems to be some conflicting reports as to what exactly happened (via SBNation).
(Gamblero) was being his usual self, absolutely no cursing, no negative cheering, just dancing and loud cheering for the Nets. Never attacked a Knicks fan, never got out of hand.
After halftime a guard came up and told him to “cool down and just be a fan.” Obviously didn’t know who he was. He said what did I do wrong? Should I be quiet? They said no, just cool it down. He started loudly cheering FOR the Knicks doing “go New York go New York go,” etc. The guards came back and told him to stop. He said why? Is this a library?
Then the main guard on the floor gave the signal to kick him out. He would not leave. A guard then touched his leg and he said “ouch you’re hurting me I have a prosthetic leg.” He then took off the leg, which is when things escalated.
More and more guards surrounded him as he watched the game with his leg resting on his shoulder. They tried to get him to put his leg on, threatened to arrest him if he wouldn’t, but he wasn’t moving. He started saying “why are you doing this I just love basketball so much,” he was clearly overwhelmed. After about ten minutes, four guards grabbed him and carried him out as he screamed in pain. I am a lifelong Nets fan but regardless, this was one of the cruelest and most upsetting things I have ever seen.
