A Los Angeles jury began deliberations in a civil trial examining the death of 14-year-old Valentina Peralta, who was fatally struck by a stray police bullet while shopping with her mother at a North Hollywood department store in December 2021.
The incident occurred on December 23, 2021, when Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to reports of a man attacking customers with a bike lock at a Burlington Coat Factory. Officer William Jones fired three shots from his AR-15 rifle in rapid succession, taking just 0.65 seconds to discharge all three rounds. The first bullet struck 24-year-old Daniel Elena-Lopez in the back, killing him. Another bullet ricocheted off the floor, penetrated the wall of a fitting room, and struck Peralta, who died in her mother’s arms.
Peralta’s parents filed a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles, seeking damages that could reach $100 million. The case centers on whether Officer Jones exercised reasonable care when he opened fire in the crowded retail environment.
During the month-long trial, jurors reviewed extensive body camera footage from multiple officers present at the scene. The videos show Officer Michael Mazur, who was initially leading the response, organizing officers into a diamond formation with specific tactical positions. Jones and his partner arrived minutes later, with footage showing Jones rushing to the front of the formation without orders and taking point position despite other officers shouting for him to slow down.
Jones testified that he believed he was confronting an active shooter situation and thought Elena-Lopez was armed with a firearm when he first spotted him in the store aisle. The officer’s perception changed when he observed a customer lying on the ground with blood visible on the floor, at which point body camera footage shows him disengaging his weapon’s safety.
Attorney Haytham Faraj, representing the Peralta family, argued that Jones failed to properly assess the situation before firing. He emphasized that Elena-Lopez, who had removed his pants and was holding a Superman poster along with the bike lock, did not pose an imminent threat requiring lethal force. Faraj particularly criticized the second and third shots as negligent, noting that Jones had testified he thought the suspect might possibly shoot him.
Assistant City Attorney Christian Bojorquez defended Jones’s actions, arguing that the officer was attempting to protect civilians in a rapidly evolving situation. Bojorquez contended that the discovery of an injured, bleeding customer fundamentally altered the tactical situation, making the initial response plan obsolete and requiring immediate action.
The jury must determine whether Jones was negligent in his use of force, whether Elena-Lopez’s actions contributed to the tragedy, and if so, what percentage of responsibility should be assigned to each party. If the jury finds Jones partially responsible, the trial will proceed to a damages phase where Peralta’s parents will testify.
The case highlights ongoing debates about police use of force in crowded public spaces and the split-second decisions officers make under pressure. The outcome could have significant implications for how law enforcement agencies train officers to respond to potential threats in civilian-populated areas.
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