Shaq teams with local police officer to cover funeral costs.
NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal has joined forces with Houston Senior Police Officer Kenneth Miles to pay for the funeral of 7-year old Jazmine Barnes, who was tragically murdered in a drive-by shooting in Texas.
CNN reports that Shaq and Miles brought a cashier’s check to Jazmine’s family last week to pay for the funeral, which is scheduled for Tuesday.
@houstonpolice Officer Kenneth Miles and @SHAQ join forces to cover funeral expenses for 7 year old #JazmineBarnes, the girl shot and killed while riding in a car with her mother and sisters. @kprc2 pic.twitter.com/awv7gtlBQ8
— Brandon Walker (@KPRC2Brandon) January 3, 2019
According to CNN, 20-year old Eric Black Jr. has been arrested and is expected to be charged Monday with capital murder in Jazmine’s death. Jazmine was reportedly killed around 7 AM on December 30, when a red pickup truck pulled up next to the family car and opened fire. Her mother, LaPorsha Washington, was also struck in the attack, but she survived, as did her three sisters whom were also in the vehicle.
The arrest of a man in connection with the killing of 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes came from a tip to writer and social activist Shaun King, which he passed to investigators, the sheriff says https://t.co/FLNXu395xy pic.twitter.com/a6k7nANCRd
— CNN (@CNN) January 6, 2019
Late last week, Houston Texans’ Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins announced that he’d be donating his playoff paycheck to the family of Barnes.
Hopkins posted the following on social media days before the Texans took the field against the Indianapolis Colts: “When I see Jazmine Barnes’ face, I see my own daughter. I’m pledging my playoff check this week to help her family with funeral costs and to support @shaunking @SherriffED_HCSO @SylvesterTurner in bringing this man to justice. On Saturday, I will be playing in your honor, Jazmine.”
According to the NFL, Hopkins was set to make $29,000 for Saturday’s AFC Wild Card game, which the Texans lost to the Colts by the final of 21-7.
When I see Jazmine Barnes' face, I see my own daughter. I'm pledging my playoff check this week to help her family with funeral costs and to support @shaunking @SherriffED_HCSO @SylvesterTurner in bringing this man to justice. On Saturday, I will be playing in your honor, Jazmine pic.twitter.com/oCRYSgfGO9
— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) January 3, 2019
