LAPD Officer Testifies in Teen's Fatal Shooting Civil Trial
LAPD Officer William Dorsey Jones Jr. testified in court over the 2021 shooting death of Valentina Orellana-Peralta.
Why it matters: Municipalities face rising legal risk in police shootings, with this trial highlighting use-of-force policies and liability standards. Legal professionals should note implications for civil rights litigation and departmental oversight.
- The trial is being held in the Los Angeles Superior Court starting April 8, 2026.
- Officer Jones fired three shots inside a Burlington store on Dec. 23, 2021; one killed 14-year-old Orellana-Peralta through a dressing room wall.
- The Los Angeles Police Commission found only Jones' first shot justified; the Attorney General declined criminal charges.
- The family seeks $100 million, alleging wrongful death and inadequate LAPD training and supervision.
Los Angeles Superior Court is the stage for the high-profile civil trial against the Los Angeles Police Department and Officer William Dorsey Jones Jr. after the fatal shooting of Valentina Orellana-Peralta. On December 23, 2021, Jones fired his AR-15 rifle three times during an ongoing assault inside a Burlington store. His bullets fatally struck Orellana-Peralta behind a dressing room wall while targeting a suspect attacking shoppers with a bike lock.
- Officer Jones told the court he did not know there was a dressing room behind the wall and believed the area to be clear before firing.
- The Los Angeles Police Commission ruled that only the first shot met department policy, deeming the following shots unnecessary.
- Attorney General Rob Bonta later declined to bring criminal charges, concluding that Jones' belief he was protecting himself and others was reasonable based on available evidence.
The family’s lawsuit asserts that LA city and the LAPD failed to provide adequate training and supervision, leading to wrongful death. Their attorney, Nick Rowley, criticized Jones’ tactical choices, saying officers should assess whether use of deadly force is warranted in such situations. The family requests $100 million in damages.
This trial puts a spotlight on departmental accountability and may influence future legal arguments about use-of-force protocol and municipal liability.
By the numbers:
- $100 million — amount the family is seeking in damages
- 3 shots — number fired by Officer Jones, with one fatally striking the victim
- Dec. 23, 2021 — date of the fatal incident inside Burlington store
Yes, but: The Attorney General's review did not result in criminal charges, showing the difficulty in prosecuting police use-of-force cases even when policy breaches occur.