Officers with the LAPD fatally shot a 14-year-old girl inside a dressing room while firing at a man who was assaulting another woman in a clothing store shortly before noon Friday. The man was also killed, authorities said.
The mayhem unfolded after police received reports of an armed assault and shots being fired at a Burlington store – formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory – in North Hollywood at about 11:45 a.m., Los Angeles police Capt. Stacy Spell at a news conference.
Responding officers opened fire when they saw the suspect attacking the victim – and one of their bullets penetrated a dressing room wall striking the teen girl, according to LAPD Assistant Chief Dominic Choi.
“This chaotic incident resulting in the death of an innocent child is tragic and devastating for everyone involved,” Police Chief Michel R. Moore said in a statement.
Officers were unaware the girl was inside the changing area, which was located out of sight behind the suspect, the department said in a press release.
“You can’t see into the dressing rooms and it just looks like a straight wall of drywall,” Choi said at a second news conference.
The teen’s mother was in the room with her at the time of the shooting, and it wasn’t immediately clear if they were inside before the shooting or ran there for cover.
The LAPD said the male suspect was hit by gunfire and died at the scene.
The woman who he was assaulting was bleeding and injured when police showed up.
She was hospitalized with moderate to serious injuries, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Nicholas Prange.
It wasn’t immediately clear why the man was assailing the woman, or if he knew her.
The California Department of Justice is investigating the shooting, police said.
Moore said police body camera footage and other preliminary evidence of the incident will be released by Dec. 27.
“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,” the police chief said.
“My commitment is to conduct a thorough, complete and transparent investigation into the circumstances that led up to this tragedy and provide the family and public with as much information as possible.”
With Post wires