Fact Check: Did Shaquille O'Neal really save a 5-year-old boy's family from an abusive father?
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A video featuring former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal and a young boy has taken the internet by storm, quickly racking up thousands of views.
In the video, the boy is seen whispering in Shaq's ear while he dines in LA, followed by a narrative suggesting that the star helped the 5-year-old’s family escape an abusive father.
While many viewers have been moved by the heartwarming story, others have raised doubts, speculating that the video might be fabricated. Let’s dive into the truth behind this viral moment.
Reports claim that Shaquille O'Neal helped a little boy's family
A video posted on the YouTube channel The Compassionate on November 4, 2024, titled "5-Year-Old Boy Whispers to Shaq in Diner - He Turns Pale & Quickly Calls 911!" details an intense 15-minute story.
According to the video’s narrator, Shaquille O'Neal was enjoying lunch at Max's Diner when a young boy, Kevin Hargrove, approached him and allegedly whispered, "He hurt mommy really bad today." The narrator claims that O'Neal immediately called the police and positioned himself between Kevin and a man in a suit, identified as the child's father, Marcus Hargrove.
The video further states that Marcus was reportedly attempting to flee the country with his son to prevent the boy's mother, Sarah Hargrove, from gaining custody. The story continues by claiming that officers and paramedics later found Sarah unconscious on the floor of the family's home.
The narration concludes with Kevin being honored with a "Young Hero" award from the police department, his mother making a full recovery, and his father facing years in prison on multiple felony charges.
The video has garnered 610K views, with many viewers leaving comments expressing their belief in the story and offering respectful messages for Shaquille O'Neal, praising him as a rare and special person.
Viral claim involving Shaquille O'Neal and 5-year-old has been debunked
Although the video appeared authentic and was believed by many, it still lacks credibility in several areas. Firstly, there are no credible sources to verify the information provided in the video.
Secondly, the story lacked crucial details, such as when these events supposedly took place, as per Snopes. Additionally, the claim that Shaquille O'Neal dined at "Max's Diner" is false, as there is no record of a restaurant by that name existing in present-day Los Angeles. The video also mentions that Shaq sat in his usual corner, but there is no evidence to suggest he has a preferred spot at any diner.
Furthermore, this recent video appears to be a rework of one posted months earlier. In the previous video posted in July, the title read: "4-Year-Old Boy Whispers To Cop In Diner - He Turns Pale & Quickly Calls Backup!" In the newer version, the narrator simply swapped Shaq in place of the police officer and replaced the 4-year-old boy with a 5-year-old boy.
Another key piece of evidence is the use of AI tools. The thumbnail image, which shows the 5-year-old boy hugging Shaq, was created using AI. The narrator reused an image from a July video, replacing the officer's face with Shaq's and altering the boy’s head. Upon reviewing these inconsistencies, it becomes clear that the video is not authentic.
