Shaq donates house to family of 12-year-old boy paralyzed in shooting
Shaquille O'Neal has stepped up to help an Atlanta boy who was paralyzed from a gunshot wound.
Isaiah Payton, 12, was leaving a high school football game in August when he was struck in the spine by a stray bullet, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down, according to Francesca Amiker and Ryan Dennis of 11Alive News.
After learning Payton couldn't be released from the hospital because his family's home wasn't accessible for someone with disabilities, Shaq found them a new house. The NBA Hall of Famer also plans to furnish the house and cover the family's rent with help from Papa John's CEO Rob Lynch and Jeff Smith, the company's chairman of the board.
"I was watching the story and it's just sad," Shaq said. "It could have been any one of us. It could have been my son. It could've been your cousin and (Payton's mother) was living in a one-bedroom house with her two boys so we found her a one-bedroom house in College Park. Nice area. I'm going to get her some ring cameras on me. We're going to give her some furniture, TVs and pay her rent off for a year and help her get on her feet."
A 15-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday in connection with the shooting. He's being charged with aggravated assault.