Shaq Attack Leads To Man's Arrest In Miami Beach Miami Heat Center Wants To Be Crimefighter
POSTED: 8:14 am EDT September 13, 2005
Shaquille O'Neal is being called a hero, not for his skills on the basketball court, but for his skills fighting crime. Miami Beach police said the Miami Heat center heard one man verbally attack another for being gay around 3 a.m. Sunday while in the 300 block of Washington Avenue. The suspect, later identified as Michael Gonzalez, then threw a beer bottle at the victim, hitting him in the back. Gonzalez fled in a silver Honda and drove toward Palm Island. "The Diesel" contacted an off-duty police officer at Palm Island and provided a description of the vehicle and the suspect. The officer questioned Gonzalez and arrested him on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery. O'Neal said he is interested in becoming a police officer when he retires from the NBA. The 7- foot-1-inch player is currently training to become a reserve police officer for Miami Beach and has already completed a training program with the U.S. Marshal's Office in Virginia.
Miami Beach police said the Miami Heat center heard one man verbally attack another for being gay around 3 a.m. Sunday while in the 300 block of Washington Avenue. 
