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Villa Rica Today
By the People, for the People
Shaq O'Neal to Pay for Funeral of Georgia Girl, 12, Who Died After School Fight
The former NBA star is offering to cover the funeral costs for Jada West, who collapsed and died days after a fight with another student.
Mar. 18, 2026 at 10:27pm
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Shaquille O'Neal has offered to pay for the funeral of Jada West, a 12-year-old girl from Villa Rica, Georgia who died a few days after collapsing following a fight with another student near a school bus stop. The former NBA superstar said he doesn't want Jada's family to have to deal with the financial burden of a funeral while grieving.
Why it matters
Jada's tragic death has sparked an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fight and the events leading to her collapse. O'Neal's offer to cover the funeral costs is seen as a compassionate gesture to support the family during this difficult time.
The details
According to police, Jada got into a fistfight with another girl near a neighborhood bus stop after school on March 5. Cellphone video shows the girls approaching each other and throwing punches before an adult intervenes. Jada then picked up her backpack and began walking away, but never made it home. Emergency responders were called and found Jada in cardiac arrest on the street. She died at a hospital three days later. The cause of death is still under investigation through an autopsy.
- The fight occurred on March 5, 2026.
- Jada died at the hospital on March 8, 2026.
- Jada's funeral is scheduled for Saturday.
The players
Shaquille O'Neal
A former NBA superstar who is offering to pay for Jada West's funeral.
Jada West
A 12-year-old girl from Villa Rica, Georgia who died after a fight with another student near a school bus stop.
What they’re saying
“No parent should ever have to bury their child, 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.”
— Shaquille O'Neal
What’s next
The results of Jada's autopsy to determine the cause of death have not been released yet. Police are also continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fight.
The takeaway
Shaquille O'Neal's offer to pay for Jada West's funeral is a compassionate gesture that highlights the tragic loss of a young life and the importance of addressing issues of violence and conflict resolution in schools and communities.
