Trial begins in lawsuit over fatal LAPD shooting of 14-year-old

The girl's parents allege wrongful death and negligence in the 2021 incident.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 1:53pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A wrongful-death lawsuit filed against the Los Angeles Police Department is set to begin trial on Wednesday. The lawsuit stems from an officer's fatal shooting of a 14-year-old girl in a clothing store in 2021. The girl's parents allege wrongful death and negligence, and a civilian review later found that 2 of the officer's 3 shots were out of policy.

Why it matters

This case has drawn significant public attention and scrutiny over the use of lethal force by police, especially against minors. The outcome could have major implications for police accountability and policies around the use of deadly force.

The details

The lawsuit was filed by the parents of the 14-year-old girl, who was killed in December 2021 when an LAPD officer opened fire inside a Burlington store in the North Hollywood area. The officer was responding to reports of an assault and confronted the girl, who was not involved in the initial incident. A civilian review later found that 2 of the 3 shots fired by the officer were out of policy.

  • The incident occurred in December 2021.
  • The trial is set to begin on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

The players

Los Angeles Police Department

The law enforcement agency whose officer was involved in the fatal shooting of the 14-year-old girl.

The girl's parents

The plaintiffs who have filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the LAPD over the shooting.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The trial is expected to last several weeks, and the outcome could have major implications for police policies and accountability.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing debate over police use of force, especially when it involves vulnerable populations like minors. The lawsuit's outcome will be closely watched as a potential landmark case for police accountability.