VILLA RICA, Ga. — Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal has stepped forward to cover funeral costs for a sixth-grade student who passed away after collapsing following an after-school altercation in Georgia.
The retired NBA star wants to relieve financial stress for the family of Jada West, the 12-year-old who died at a medical facility on March 8, just days after the incident occurred.
“No parent should ever have to bury their child,” O’Neal expressed in his statement. “And if there is anything I can do to ease even a small part of that burden, then it is the right thing to do.”
Law enforcement officials from Douglas County, where the altercation took place, and Henry County, where O’Neal maintains a residence and serves as community relations chief for the sheriff’s department, jointly announced the former athlete’s generous gesture. Both jurisdictions are located in Atlanta’s surrounding areas.
Villa Rica authorities, situated roughly 30 miles west of Atlanta, are conducting the investigation into the young girl’s death. According to police reports, Jada became involved in a physical altercation with another student near a neighborhood bus stop after being dropped off from school on March 5. She passed away at a medical facility three days following the incident.
Police spokesperson Sgt. Spencer Crawford indicated that investigators are examining cellphone footage of the confrontation that was shared on social media platforms. The recording captures both girls approaching one another and exchanging blows after their school bus departed. The footage shows both students falling to the ground before an adult stepped in to intervene. The video concludes with Jada retrieving her school bag and starting to walk away.
However, she never reached her destination. Emergency medical personnel responded to reports of “a young juvenile who was in cardiac arrest laying in the street,” according to Sgt. Crawford’s statements.
Medical examiner results to establish the cause of death remain pending.
Lindsey McClendon Pettiford, one of Jada’s aunts, announced through social media that memorial services are planned for Saturday.
