A wrongful death trial is underway in Los Angeles over the tragic killing of a 14-year-old girl who was struck by police gunfire while shopping for Christmas. The case has raised serious questions about police use of force and decision-making in high-pressure situations.
The Victim and the Incident
In December 2021, Valentina Orellana-Peralta was killed inside a Burlington store in North Hollywood, a neighborhood in Los Angeles.
She was in a dressing room trying on dresses when a bullet fired by police passed through the wall and struck her. Officers had been shooting at Daniel Elena-Lopez, 24, who was reportedly attacking shoppers with a bike lock.
Police Response and Initial Findings
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers were responding to reports of an assault when they opened fire on the suspect.
During a search of the store, officers later discovered Valentina had been hit by gunfire. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Early findings suggested she was struck by a round fired by police.
Court Testimony
During the second day of the trial, LAPD officer William Doresy Jones Jr. testified about his actions.
He told the court that based on the information available at the time, he believed deadly force might be necessary. He had fired three shots, one of which killed the teenager.
Jones has previously said he believed there was an active shooter inside the store.
Dispute Over Use of Force
Attorneys for the family challenged that account. Lawyer Haythan Faraj argued that officers had information indicating the suspect was armed with a bike lock, not a firearm, and that this detail was ignored.
Another attorney for the family, Nick Rowley, criticized the level of force used, pointing out the mismatch between the suspect’s weapon and the police response.
Internal Reviews and Findings
Investigations into the shooting have produced mixed conclusions.
The Los Angeles Police Commission found that only one of the three shots fired by Jones was justified. Meanwhile, former LAPD Chief Michel Moore determined that all three shots were unjustified.
Jones also stated earlier that he mistook the bike lock for a gun and believed the wall behind the suspect was made of brick, not realizing it was a dressing room partition.
Lawsuit and Family’s Claims
Valentina’s family has filed a lawsuit seeking $100 million in damages. The claims include wrongful death, negligence, and emotional distress.
The lawsuit describes the final moments of Valentina’s life, stating that her mother, Soledad Peralta, was holding her when she died.
The family argues that the police department failed to properly train and supervise its officers and allowed conditions that led to the shooting.
Ongoing Trial
The trial continues as both sides present their arguments. The case remains a focal point in the broader discussion about police accountability and the use of deadly force in crowded public spaces.
