Former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, an analyst for the NBA on TNT, is a well-known figure in the sports world. He attracts many fans wherever he goes, and his larger-than-life personality makes him a favorite. Recently, a visit he made to one of his restaurants led to a serious incident involving the police and a crowd of excited fans.
On September 27, 2024, O’Neal was at his restaurant, Big Chicken, in Michigan, when a large fight broke out involving police and fans. This situation led to felony charges for three individuals and highlighted the difficulties of handling large crowds that appear unexpectedly. Fortunately, O’Neal was not hurt during the chaos and even took the time to meet some fans.
What was supposed to be a private visit turned public after someone leaked information about his appearance. His public relations team alerted the local police but could only send a few deputies on short notice. When they arrived, the police found around 250-300 people waiting to see O’Neal.
Tensions rose in the restaurant when a 21-year-old named William Jaymani Dmichael Prieto started acting aggressively towards one of the deputies. Although the deputy initially calmed him down, Prieto continued to be confrontational. When the beloved former NBA star O’Neal showed up around 6 p.m., a bystander alerted the police that Prieto had made threats and might have been reaching for a weapon, making the situation more serious.
What Exactly Happened Due To Shaquille O’Neal’s Visit To Big Chicken?
The conflict escalated when a deputy approached Prieto, who allegedly tried to punch him. The deputy pulled out his Taser, and a 48-year-old woman named Holly Renee Strong intervened by attacking the deputy in an attempt to take his weapon. Her 21-year-old daughter, Abagail Selah Hope Strong, also joined in, hitting the deputy until more officers arrived to separate everyone.
Amid the chaos, Prieto re-entered the fight and tried to choke a deputy. Despite the deputies using Tasers, they had trouble controlling Prieto. Eventually, they managed to subdue him. Following the incident, prosecutors charged Prieto with several felonies, including assault with intent to do great bodily harm and assaulting police officers.
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Authorities charged Holly Strong with trying to disarm a police officer and assaulting police, while they charged Abagail Strong with assaulting police. The court set Prieto’s bond at 50,000, and the Strongs each posted 250 bonds. They will appear in court on October 8, 2024.
This incident shows the challenges police face while managing large crowds, especially with limited resources. On that same day, deputies were also busy with local events like the Pinckney High School Homecoming Parade and a football game, which made it harder for them to respond effectively at Big Chicken. Help eventually came from the Brighton Police Department, Green Oak Police Department, and Michigan State Police.
Also Read: Shaquille O’Neal Opens Up About The Crazy Amount Of Money He Spends On Amazon Every Day
