The opening of the first Big Chicken Shaq in Michigan last year nearly went downhill. An incident broke out at the store opening in Livonia. But it de-escalated then. Shaquille O’Neal arrived later than expected, and the rest of the visit went without a hitch. However, the drama from that incident has unraveled in the first week of 2025. It has nothing to do with Shaquille O’Neal himself. Except that it occurred right in front of his restaurant.

Back on September 27, 2024, Big Chicken Shaq opened its first location in Michigan in Livonia, at a spot that was previously occupied by Guy Fieri’s restaurant. O’Neal was slated to visit the new restaurant. Understandably, a huge crowd formed outside the restaurant in Hartland Township on opening day to see the big man.

A scuffle broke out and three arrests were made. The man and two women were charged for assaulting a Livingston County Sheriff’s Deputy who was working crowd control at the Big Chicken opening. Now all three have pleaded guilty to the charges.

Howell native, William Prieto, 22, (21 at the time of the arrest) pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting with intent to do great bodily harm, less than murder, and three counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer. He was also charged for carrying a concealed weapon but it has since been dismissed. His sentencing is scheduled for January 16.

Holly Strong, 49, from Brighton, pleaded guilty to three counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer, in exchange for the dismissal of disarming a police officer charge. Her daughter, 21-year-old, Abagail Strong, pleaded guilty to three counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer. The mother-daughter will be sentenced on January 23.

While the Sheriff’s Office has responded, Big Chicken or Shaq have remained quiet on the entire situation, having had no involvement, except for the proximity.

Big Chicken opening goes wild

The first Big Chicken store opening in Michigan was a big deal. It’s also one of the first in their Midwest expansion plans. Shaquille O’Neal, who frequently visits the nationwide locations was dropping by. Fun fact: Shaq was beefing with Dwight Howard on X.com on the day of the opening. 

The new store manager told local outlets that O’Neal’s visit was last minute. As per the Sheriff’s office, O’Neal’s public relations team contacted them an hour before the event, and said the visit was not supposed to be public, but the information had been leaked and they expected large crowds. Though it was made clear that O’Neal wouldn’t be signing any autographs, the crowd gathered for a glimpse of him.

Shaq’s visit was reportedly delayed (for reasons unknown, not related to an online feud). During that, Prieto got into an altercation with a sheriff’s deputy. Holly and Abagail Strong’s intervention added to the situation. More deputies got involved and their tasers were deployed. All three were arrested.

Several witnesses filmed the entire scuffle from multiple angles as it happened and it went viral on social media. Shaq arrived after the incident at 6 pm. His actual visit was without incident. He skipped most of the crowd outside, hung out with Big Chicken staff, and had a sandwich.

Once more, O’Neal’s team and Big Chicken have stayed out of it while the Livingston County authorities handle this situation.