Shaq Donates Home to Family of Boy Paralyzed in Shooting

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

After hearing a story about an Atlanta boy paralyzed by a gunshot wound, Shaquille O'Neal knew he wanted to help.

According to WXIA-TV, Shaq heard 12-year-old Isaiah Payton had been recovering at a hospital since Aug. 17 after being shot at a high school football game. Payton could not return home because the family's one-bedroom apartment was not accessible for people with disabilities. The former NBA star found the family a house and said he'll help furnish it and pay its rent for the next year.

"I reached out to the family because I wanted to see the son," Shaq told WXIA-TV. "I'm going to pay her rent for the year and I'm going to give her some furniture and it's sad because her son is paralyzed from the chest down and no mother should have to go to that."

Rob Lynch, Papa John's CEO, and Jeff Smith, the company's chairman of the board, are also providing donations.

In August, Payton and Damean Spear, 15, were struck by gunfire when leaving a high school football game. Spear was wounded but later released from the hospital. A stray bullet hit Payton in the spine, causing him to be paralyzed from the chest down.

Atlanta police arrested a 15-year-old boy on Wednesday in connection with the shooting. He is being charged with aggravated assault, according to WXIA-TV.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.