"No mother should have to go through this,” O’Neal said in a statement. “I can only imagine the pain that she and all of Malachi’s family must be feeling. I just wanted to do what I could to help them at such a terrible time."
Cops Arrest Juvenile They Say Gave Gun to Teen Who Accidentally Shot Himself on Instagram
Malachi Hemphill accidentally shot himself while friends watched the livestream.
An arrest has been made in the case of a Georgia teen who cops say accidentally shot himself while friends watched on a social media livestream last week.
A week after family, friends and even strangers nationwide were left shocked by the death of 13-year-old Malachi Hemphill, cops in his Atlanta-area hometown of Forest Park announced the arrest of a juvenile who they say provided the gun to the boy.
Authorities say the juvenile gave Malachi the 9mm semi-automatic pistol that the teen's family says he was showing off on Instagram Live April 10 when the firearm discharged.
The juvenile, who police have not named, has been charged with "numerous offenses," according to Forest Park police Maj. Chris Matson.
As Malachi's family begins to pick up the pieces, one spot of light in these dark times has come from an unexpected source: Shaquille O'Neal.
The NBA legend was so personally moved by the sad tale that he offered to personally pay for Malachi's funeral.
Malachi was discovered by his mother and sister in a pool of his own blood after they heard a loud boom in his bedroom.
Malachi's phone was still streaming to Instagram Live when they found him, according to reports.
Read: Dad Whose Son, 2, Accidentally Shot Himself Said He 'Forgot' He Left Handgun Out: Cops
Malachi was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died. Family members are certain it wasn't a suicide.
"He did not kill himself," said his godmother, Shantirea Bankston. "He loved life; he was just playing with a gun and the gun went off."
Watch: Parents Disarm 15-Year-Old Son Who Stole Guns and Brought Them to School: Cops
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