Shaq Offers To Pay For Funeral Of Girl, 12, Who Died After Fistfight Near Bus Stop

Shaquille O'Neal has offered to salary for nan ceremonial of a 12-year-old Georgia woman who died aft a fistfight adjacent a autobus stop.

The erstwhile NBA superstar said he doesn't want Jada West’s family to woody pinch nan financial load of a ceremonial while grieving nan sixth grader, who died astatine a infirmary connected March 8.

“As a father, my bosom goes retired to Jada’s family," O'Neal said successful a statement.

“No genitor should ever person to hide their child, and if location is thing I tin do to easiness moreover a mini portion of that burden, past it is nan correct point to do.”

O'Neal's connection was announced successful a associated news merchandise by nan sheriff of Douglas County, wherever nan conflict occurred, and nan sheriff of Henry County, wherever O'Neal owns a location and holds a position arsenic nan sheriff's organization relations chief. Both counties are successful nan Atlanta suburbs.

The girl's decease is being investigated by police successful Villa Rica, astir 30 miles (50 kilometers) westbound of Atlanta.

Police opportunity Jada sewage into a fistfight pinch different woman adjacent a vicinity autobus extremity wherever they had been dropped disconnected aft schoolhouse connected March 5.

She died astatine a infirmary 3 days later.

Sgt. Spencer Crawford, a constabulary spokesman, has said investigators were reviewing cellphone video of nan conflict posted to societal media that shows Jada and different woman attack each different and statesman throwing punches aft nan schoolhouse autobus leaves.

The video shows nan girls autumn to nan crushed earlier an big intervenes. It ends arsenic Jada picks up her backpack and originates to locomotion away.

She ne'er made it home. Sgt. Spencer Crawford, a constabulary spokesman, has said emergency responders were dispatched connected a study of “a young juvenile who was successful cardiac apprehension laying successful nan street.”

Results of an autopsy to find nan origin of decease person not been released.

One of nan girl's aunts, Lindsey McClendon Pettiford, said successful a societal media station that Jada's ceremonial is scheduled for Saturday.

"The nonaccomplishment of a kid shakes each parent, each organization member, and each 1 of america who serves nan public," said Sheriff Reginald B. Scandrett.

"Jada's life mattered, and successful times for illustration these, our work is to guidelines beside families successful their darkest moments.”