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Warning: The videos in this article contain graphic and violent footage.
The family of Valentina Orellana Peralta–the 14-year-old girl who was killed by a stray bullet at a Burlington Coat Factory in North Hollywood, California–are demanding justice.
Valentina, who was shopping with her mother the day before Christmas Eve, was trying on clothes in the dressing room when chaos unfolded inside the store due to a male suspect who was attacking customers with what appeared to be a bicycle chain and lock.
The young girl was struck by a stray bullet fired from one of the police officers who shot and killed the suspect who did not brandish a firearm.
This is 14yo Valentina Orellana-Peralta. A few months ago, her family moved to Los Angeles from Chile in search of a better life. Tragically, Valentina was killed just a few days before Christmas.pic.twitter.com/mZxFFBMjXn— Ben Crump (@Ben Crump) 1640705464
You can watch a news report of the incident, here.
The fatally-shot suspect–who was identified by police as 24-year-old Daniel Elena Lopez–had entered the store with his bike and started attacking other customers, unprovoked.
Witnesses and employees called 911.
Transcripts from the calls, as well as edited surveillance and body camera footage, can be seen in this 35-minute video.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) claimed the responding officers believed Elena Lopez was carrying a gun based on the chaos and confusion from shoppers fleeing the scene.
Bodycam footage showed an officer shooting at Elena Lopez and taking him down after the suspect had attacked an unnamed female customer.
In the process, one of the fired bullets pierced through the wall of the dressing room where Valentina and her mother, Soledad Peralta, were seeking shelter from the pandemonium.
The young teenager was struck and died in the arms of her mother, whose screams could be heard in the bodycam footage after the shooting ceased.
An LAPD officer recklessly started shooting at a suspect and a stray bullet struck Valentina, who was inside a dressing room. This careless use of force endangered innocent people and stole Valentina's young life!!— Ben Crump (@Ben Crump) 1640705757
The grieving mother recounted the tragic event during a press conference on Tuesday.
"We heard some screams and sat down and hugged and started crying," she said in her statement that was translated from Spanish to English.
They were reacting to the confrontation they heard outside the dressing room inside the store.
“Valentina went to lock the door to protect us. We started hugging each other tighter."
"We were praying. I was praying for her, and I believe she was praying for me."
Died while trying on clothes. Police are out of control.— Hold them accountable! All of them! (@Hold them accountable! All of them!) 1640706486
She continued to describe what no mother should ever have to witness.
"I saw white powder coming out of Valentina's body and she began to go through convulsions. Her body went limp. I tried to wake her up by shaking her."
She added:
"She died in my arms and there was nothing I could do. To see a son or daughter die in your arms is one of the greatest and most profound pains that any human being can imagine."
"When the police finally came, they took me out of the dressing room and left my daughter laying there. I wanted them to help her, but they just left her laying there alone."
On Thursday night, Police Chief Michel Moore said in a statement:
“This chaotic incident resulting in the death of an innocent child is tragic and devastating for everyone involved."
“I am profoundly sorry for the loss of this young girl’s life and I know there are no words that can relieve the unimaginable pain for the family."
We have a gun problem in America, if cops need to engage in shooters they can use pepper bullets, less than lethal, cash grenades, bean-bag semi-automatic shotguns, and canine units with attack dogs and rubber bullets to disable and subdue shooters. Hmm @MSNBC— Raymundo Perez (@Raymundo Perez) 1640725636
Watch the body cam\u2026.. the police were ridiculously escalated. Watch the statistics\u2026this is not some new phenomenon in Los Angeles— MngDove\u2615\ufe0f\ud83d\udd25\ud83c\udf04the \ud83c\udf0dis watching (@MngDove\u2615\ufe0f\ud83d\udd25\ud83c\udf04the \ud83c\udf0dis watching) 1640708553
Why you would discharge your weapon in a department store when you clearly see the man is unarmed and there's 7 of you? Isn't the potential of ricochet lesson 1?— Guitar Cat (@Guitar Cat) 1640711500
Terrible tragedy.\n\nNo doubt there be will a lawsuit and a huge amount of money paid to the family.\n\nCourtesy of.....the TAXPAYERS of LA county.\nI understand cops are municipal employees so the Police Union NEVER has to pay.\n\nTime for that to CHANGE— Kevin D (@Kevin D) 1640709164
We need higher legal standards for cops. We cannot just use "malicious intent". Incompetence cannot be a legal defense, especially for police.— Amperro (@Amperro) 1640717224
Valentina's aunt, Carolina Peralta, told the Los Angeles Times that her sister and niece came to California from Chile six months ago after initially visiting Valentina's sister, who was working at a restaurant.
The mother and daughter's visit turned into a longer stay, and they had begun the immigration process to live in the country permanently.
Omg they'd only been here a few months omg. Family must be devastated. The perp was a good distance from the assault victim & them. They could have apprehended him 4/5 cops to 1 or used a bb gun or non lethal weapon but nope. 100th reason why I'll never call or trust LAPD cops.— Peace (@Peace) 1640709510
Thank God for body cams nowadays because this would all have been swept under the rug previously or they would have made up some story to cover up for each other.— Peace (@Peace) 1640710119
"Valentina was a shy girl in Chile, but everything was turning out well for her in the US," said Carolina Peralta.
"She was catching up with English and being more outgoing. She was happy to be with her older sister."
Carolina said of her sister who had just lost her daughter:
"[Soledad] does not understand how this tragedy could have happened just when they had managed to reunite the family."
So sad , My Condolences to the family... A terrible accident! Who knew they would be in firing range behind walls. An always remember people to lay flat when all hell brakes loose.— Stephanie C. (@Stephanie C.) 1640740361
During Tuesday's press conference, lawyers for the Peralta family did not announce any legal proceedings but said they were considering options–including a possible civil lawsuit.
"We want justice for our angel. Our precious little angel, Valentina," said Soledad.
Valentina and her family deserve justice.\n\nThis was a reckless act by the LAPD and should be prosecuted. \n\nThis was totally PREVENTABLE— Kevin D (@Kevin D) 1640708749
Ben Crump, who is one of the attorneys representing the Peralta family, said:
“They can never get Valentina back. What they want Valentina’s legacy to be is that no one will ever be killed like this in this manner.”