In a dramatic turn of events, Jillian Lauren, the estranged wife of Weezer bassist Scott Shriner, has been at the center of a police investigation after an armed confrontation with officers that left her shot by police.
The Los Angeles Police Commission reviewed an internal report on the shooting and found that the officers involved had acted improperly.
The Shooting Incident
The incident occurred in April after Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers responded to a hit-and-run accident near the Eagle Rock neighborhood, where Lauren and Shriner lived. The suspects from the crash fled into the residential area, prompting officers to set up a perimeter.
Lauren, 52, exited her home armed with a handgun, which she pointed at the officers. Despite repeated police orders to drop the weapon, Lauren refused and continued to confront officers. In response, the police opened fire, injuring Lauren.
She was later treated at a local hospital for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was charged with attempted murder.
LAPD’s Internal Review
The LAPD Police Commission took up an internal review of the incident on Tuesday, analyzing the department’s handling of the situation.
After reviewing the evidence, the commission concluded that the two officers and one sergeant involved in the shooting deviated from department policy and acted improperly when they opened fire. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell will now decide on disciplinary action for the officers involved.
Lauren’s Perspective
Lauren, a New York Times Bestselling author, shared her perspective on the incident in a December interview with Rolling Stone, saying, “I was doing the best I knew to protect my family.”
She explained that her impulse was self-defense, reflecting on how the incident drastically changed her life: “My world fell to pieces around me in a heartbeat.”
Lauren also spoke about her difficult past, mentioning her experiences with sex trafficking and domestic violence. She is currently enrolled in a two-year mental health diversion program, where she is working to address her PTSD.
Personal Background
In addition to her writing career, Lauren has over 17,000 followers on Instagram, where she shares glimpses of her life, her family, and her advocacy. She and Scott Shriner married in 2005 and adopted two children.
However, the couple has been growing apart for years, and Lauren filed for divorce in December, citing irreconcilable differences. She has requested spousal support and joint custody of their two teenage sons.
Lauren’s interview highlighted how her confrontation with the police became a crisis point in her personal life: “Divorce is painful, I don’t care who you are,” she said.
Ongoing Investigation
No officers or bystanders were injured during the standoff. Authorities have detained one of the hit-and-run suspects while the other two remain at large. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is investigating the shooting.
