A 14-year-old girl who was in a California department store dressing room with her mother was killed Thursday when police fired at a man suspected of attacking a woman in the store, CNN reported Saturday, citing local authorities.
Los Angeles Police Department Assistant Chief Dominic Choi told reporters during a news conference that one of the shots penetrated a wall and struck the girl.
“Preliminary, we believe that round was an officer’s round,” Choi said, according to CNN.
The man suspected in the attack was also shot and killed by police, Choi said.
“This chaotic incident resulting in the death of an innocent child is tragic and devastating for everyone involved, Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore told reporters, adding that video and other evidence will be released to the public by Monday.
“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,” he said.
Citing the timeline provided by the LAPD, CNN reported that North Hollywood police officers responded to a radio call at 11:45 a.m. local time for an assault with a deadly weapon in progress at a Burlington store on Victory Boulevard. On route, they received multiple calls that there was a “possible shooting in progress” and that people were sheltering in place, the LAPD said.
Upon arrival, officers found a female who was bleeding and suffering from various injuries. The officers then encountered a man suspected in that assault a short distance away and shot at him, the statement said. He was struck by gunfire and declared dead at the scene, authorities said. No firearm was recovered from the scene.
Police do not believe there was any relation between the three people.
