Peralta, et al. v. City of Los Angeles, et al.

Summary

A California state court jury heard opening statements April 8 in a wrongful death lawsuit claiming an LAPD cop is responsible for a young girl’s accidental shooting death in a department store.

The case stems from an incident shortly before Christmas in 2021, when a disturbed individual entered the department store 14-year-old Valentina Peralta were shopping in and began attempting to bludgeon employees with a heavy bike lock. Police officers responded and killed the intruder, but a stray bullet struck and killed Peralta, who had taken shelter in a dressing room with her mother.

Peralta’s family accuses officer William Jones of firing his weapon recklessly and not following department rules and procedures. However Jones, who did not face criminal charges and remains employed as a police officer, argues he had to make a split-second decision under intense pressure and did not act negligently.