The California Attorney General has declined to file criminal charges against a Los Angeles police officer, William Dorsey Jones Jr., who fired a rifle at a suspect inside a clothing store in 2021, resulting in the death of a 14-year-old girl in a dressing room. The incident occurred when police responded to a Burlington clothing store in the San Fernando Valley, where 24-year-old Daniel Elena Lopez attacked two women with a heavy bike lock. The suspect, Elena Lopez, was killed in the shooting, along with Valentina Orellana Peralta, who was praying in a dressing room with her mother. An autopsy report revealed that Elena Lopez was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of his death.
The state Department of Justice investigated the incident, as is standard practice in cases where an unarmed person is killed by law enforcement. Instead of recommending criminal charges, officials suggested that the Los Angeles Police Department update their communication training to better handle similar situations in the future. Attorney General Rob Bonta expressed sympathy for the families of the victims, particularly Valentina Orellana Peralta, who was described as an innocent bystander caught in the tragic event.
Body camera footage from the incident showed officers entering the store in a formation, with Jones pushing to the front while other officers called for caution. The video captured a chaotic scene with a woman crawling on the floor and Elena Lopez wielding a bike lock on the other side of an aisle. Jones fired three shots after mistaking the bike lock for a gun and believing that a brick wall would block his shots. The LAPD declined to comment on the attorney general’s decision, citing ongoing civil litigation. Jones, who remains a full-time officer with the department, has faced scrutiny for his actions during the incident.
The civilian oversight board of the Los Angeles Police Department ruled in 2022 that Jones was justified in firing one shot but deemed his subsequent shots as out of policy. Police Chief Michel Moore, who has since retired, also found all three shots to be unjustified. Despite the controversy surrounding the shooting, Jones has not faced any disciplinary action from the department. The parents of the teenage victim have filed a lawsuit alleging wrongful death and negligence. Orellana Peralta’s family had immigrated from Chile in search of a better life and remembered her as a happy, sports-loving teen with a bright future.
The tragic incident has raised concerns about police use of force and the need for improved training to prevent similar incidents in the future. The decision by the California Attorney General not to file criminal charges has sparked outrage among some community members and activists who are calling for greater accountability and transparency in law enforcement. The case highlights the complex challenges faced by law enforcement officers in high-stress situations and the need for ongoing training and evaluation to ensure public safety while minimizing the risk of harm to innocent bystanders. As the legal proceedings continue, the families of the victims are left to mourn their losses and seek justice for their loved ones.
