The news of Ja'Naiya Scott, 11, who was tragically shot at her home in Anderson, South Carolina, last week, hit a little too close to home for Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson.
Scott was killed when someone shot at her home more than 35 times early Sunday morning. Her 18-year-old sister and and 11-year-old cousin remain in the hospital after being shot in the same incident. So far, no charges have been filed and no suspects have been named in the case.
Lawson grew up about 20 minutes from Anderson, and said he felt moved to do something, anything, for the family.
“It could have been my little sister,” Lawson said. “I've got a little sister around that age, and it could have been one of my family members.”
It was announced by Scott's uncle, Fred Rice, at a memorial service that Lawson would pay for the costs of Scott's funeral.
Lawson reached out to the girl’s mother to let her know, saying he wanted to do anything that “could possibly help out” the family.
“I know her heart was hurting,” Lawson said. “I was so speechless I couldn't saying anything. I felt for her pain. I felt the pain, too. I felt like any way I could possibly help out, I was going to do that. It hit my heart.”
Lawson also urged the killer to come forward, saying that no child should be unsafe in their own home.
Scott reportedly dreamed of going to college and becoming a cosmetologist.
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