Shaq Covers Funeral Costs For 11-Year-Old Killed In Car Crash

BY Erika Marie 2.1K Views
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Shaquille O'Neal
Shaq wanted to help a grieving family lay their 11-year-old son to rest following a car crash that resulted in his death and the loss of a 12-year-old.

These are strange, trying times we're living in. Millions of people are struggling from day-to-day and many families are consumed with trying to keep their households healthy and safe from COVID-19. Sadly, even with "Stay Home" orders in place, people still need to commute. In Lousiana, a tragic car crash resulted in the deaths of two children: 11-year-old Keshon Batiste and 12-year-old Trayvon Alexander. The two boys were passengers in the backseat of a vehicle when the person behind the wheel reportedly ran a stop sign, went through a ditch, and finally hit a tree. 

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It's reported that Trayvon's family was able to cover his funeral costs, but Keshon's loved ones were having a difficult time coming up with all of the money needed to lay him to rest. They launched a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign and once someone told Shaq about the story, he reached out and paid the remaining balance of approximately $4K.

This isn't the first time Shaq has pulled a good deed such as this. Last year, Shaq covered the funeral costs for Jazmine Barnes, a seven-year-old who was shot and killed while riding in the car with her mother. Two men pulled alongside the vehicle and opened fire in a violent incident that was a tragic case of mistaken identity, according to police. 

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.