Jury Weighs Evidence in Burlington Store Shooting Case Involving Teen’s Death
Deliberations Continue in Civil Trial After LAPD Shooting Death of 14-Year-Old Girl
Jurors are currently deliberating in a civil trial regarding the tragic shooting of 14-year-old Valentina Peralta at a Burlington store in North Hollywood in December 2021. The incident occurred while Valentina was shopping for clothes with her mother, when a bullet from an LAPD officer ricocheted off the floor and entered the dressing room where she was located.
Contrary to earlier reports of a verdict, confirmed updates from local sources indicate that the jury’s discussions are ongoing. Attorneys representing both sides were called to convene at the courthouse for further proceedings.
The case centers on the actions of Officer William Doresy Jones Jr., who discharged his weapon while responding to a man armed with a bike lock, who had reportedly attacked two women inside the store. Officer Jones testified about his experiences and the operational capabilities of his assault rifle during the trial.
In the incident, the suspect was killed by gunfire, while Valentina was fatally struck by a stray bullet.
The Peralta family’s attorney aims to prove that Officer Jones was negligent in his duties, though he is not being accused of intentionally harming the girl. Attorney Haytham Faraj posed a key question to Jones, asking, "Were you too ‘excited’ to use your firearm for the first time in real life?" to which Jones replied, "Absolutely not. That’s the last thing I want to do."
Valentina’s parents have filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking damages exceeding $100 million.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta concluded that no criminal charges would be filed against Officer Jones, emphasizing that evidence indicated he believed he was acting in self-defense or in defense of others.
Body-camera footage from the incident showed the attacker assaulting a woman with the bike lock as officers arrived. The recording captured the sounds of gunfire as responding officers confronted the suspect, who was ultimately shot and killed at the scene. Notably, no firearm was found in the suspect’s possession.
In a statement, LAPD officials noted that officers were unaware of Valentina’s presence in the dressing room. She was discovered only after police commenced a search for additional threats.
According to Bonta’s office, investigations revealed insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges against the officer, stating, “the evidence does not show, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the officer involved acted without the intent to defend himself and others from what he reasonably believed to be imminent death or serious bodily injury.” The office recommended evaluating communication protocols for better coordination during critical response situations.
Valentina was a student at High Tech Los Angeles Charter School, having recently passed her math and physics exams. The family proceeded with legal action against the city following the tragedy, and in 2022, the LAPD Police Commission ruled that the officer had violated department policy during the incident, determining that while the first shot was justified, the subsequent shots were not.
This ongoing trial highlights pressing questions about police conduct and accountability in high-stress situations, as the community grapples with the loss of a young life.
