North Hollywood Officer Involved Shooting Incident at Burlington Coat Factory NR21369ss

On December 23, 2021, around 11:45 a.m., North Hollywood officers responded to a radio call for an Assault with a Deadly Weapon in Progress, at a business, on the 12100 block of Victory Boulevard. While enroute to the location, officers received multiple radio calls from the same location that there was a possible shooting in progress and that there were individuals sheltering in place.

As the officers arrived at the location, they began a search for the suspect. During that search, officers located a female who was suffering from various injuries and bleeding. They encountered the suspect a short distance away and an officer involved shooting occurred. The suspect was struck by gunfire and taken into custody. Fire department paramedics responded and determined the suspect deceased at scene.

One victim was transported to the hospital for injuries sustained as a result of the suspect’s attack and was admitted in unknown condition at this time.

Unbeknownst to the officers, a 14-year-old girl was in a changing room behind a wall, that was directly behind the suspect and out of the officers’ view. She was in the changing area with her mother when the officers encountered the suspect and the officer involved shooting occurred. During a search for additional suspects and victims, officers found the girl and discovered she had been struck by gunfire. She was pronounced dead at the scene. At this preliminary phase of the investigation, it is believed that victim was struck by one of the rounds fired by an officer at the suspect.

Police Chief Michel R. Moore commented:

“This chaotic incident resulting in the death of an innocent child is tragic and devastating for everyone involved. 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. 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. I have directed the release of the critical incident video by Monday, December 27th, which will include the 9-1-1 calls, radio transmissions, body worn video and any CCTV and other evidence gathered at this preliminary stage.”

Pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), the California Attorney General’s Office will be investigating and will independently review the officer-involved-shooting. The California Department of Justice’s California Police Shooting Investigation Team for Southern California deployed to the scene of the OIS. Alongside other law enforcement partners, the California Department of Justice is investigating the incident.

Once the investigation has been completed, it will be turned over to the California Department of Justice’s Special Prosecutions Section within the Criminal Law Division for independent review.

The Los Angeles Police Department Family Liaison is working closely with the Mayor’s Crisis Response Team and Council Member Monica Rodriguez to provide assistance to the 14-year-old girl’s family.