Two days after she was injured during an armed robbery, a Georgia State University police officer received an uplifting video message from NBA great Shaquille O’Neal.
Off-duty Officer LaToya Denise Crook was walking with her friend on the 1400 block of Donnely Avenue when two men came up to them Monday night and tried to rob them, Atlanta police said. The suspects are still at large.
Crook suffered a gunshot wound to the torso and hand during a struggle with one of the men. She returned fire, police said, but the men ran away. Crooks’ friend was not injured.
“People like you should ultimately always be respected,” Shaq said in the 30-second video.
O’Neal thanked Crook, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, for her courage and urged her to take her time in recovery.
Crook was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital but is expected to be OK.
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