Los Angeles police have fatally shot a 14-year-old girl who was in the dressing room of a clothing store when officers fired at an assault suspect and a bullet went through the wall, authorities have said. The Los Angeles County coroner identified the girl as Valentina Orellana-Peralta. Officers also fatally shot the suspect on Thursday morning at a Burlington store in the North Hollywood area of the San Fernando valley, police said. The man – who has not been named – was shot and died at the store but one of the bullets went through a wall behind him, killing the girl. The suspect, Gene Evin Atkins, took employees and shoppers hostage for three hours before surrendering, authorities said.

Source: The Guardian December 25, 2021 16:27 UTC