The California Attorney General’s Office announced that it will not press charges against the Los Angeles police officer who killed 14-year-old Valentina Orellana Peralta after opening fire on a suspect during an operation inside a shopping center .

The incident dates back to December 23, 2021, when county police officers arrived alerted by an attack carried out by a cyclist, identified as Daniel López, 24, who was shot three times after hitting a group of women with a padlock at the Burlington Coat Factory. In the act, one of the bullets hit the fitting room where the Chilean teenager was hiding , who was hit by the projectile.

Orellana had arrived in the United States six months before his tragic death, which sparked a series of protests against the Los Angeles Police Department .

The reason for the decision
Attorney General Rob Bonta said, “This case was particularly difficult to prosecute as it involved the loss of two lives,” adding, “Any loss of life is a tragedy, and my heart especially goes out to the family of Valentina Orellana Peralta, who tragically lost her life and whose only involvement in this incident was being in the wrong place at the wrong time . ”

Through a statement from the prosecutor’s office, it was reported that “the Department of Justice conducted a thorough investigation into this incident and concluded that the evidence does not prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the officer involved acted without the intent to defend himself and others from what he reasonably believed was imminent death or serious bodily injury. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution of the officer. Therefore, no further action will be taken in this case .”

Likewise, recommendations were made to local police, regarding “improving lines of communication in response to immediate action and rapid deployment scenarios” and details that this will translate into “the Los Angeles Police Department considering updating its communications training bulletin and any related training to take into account the type of situation presented during this event . ”