A neighbour of Weezer bassist Scott Shriner whose wife was shot by police then charged with attempted murder has made a major claim about the incident.
On Monday (7 April), Jillian Lauren Shriner, was shot by police after 'refusing' to drop a weapon following a 'chaotic' hit-and-run chase.
At around 3.25pm local time, California Highway Patrol (CHP) called for backup while investigating an incident.
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The Los Angeles Police Department explained that 'CHP requested a backup locating three misdemeanour hit-and-run suspects who fled into a residential neighbourhood near the 134 Freeway and Figueroa Street.'
LAPD officers responded to the call and established a perimeter. Several minutes later, they were directed by CHP to the rear of a residence in the 5300 block of Waldo Place, where one suspect was last seen running.
"As the officers were in the rear yard of that residence, they observed a female, later identified as Shriner, in the yard of a neighbouring residence armed with a handgun," they said.
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According to the police, officers ordered Shriner to drop the handgun 'numerous times' but she 'refused.'
"Shriner then pointed the handgun at the officers, and an Officer-Involved Shooting occurred," the LAPD stated.
She was later taken into custody, with Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics transporting her to a local hospital, where she was treated for a 'non-life-threatening gunshot wound'.
It was later determined that Shriner was not involved in the hit-and-run and lived at the residence where she was observed. She was later charged with attempted murder.
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Now, an unnamed neighbour who claims to have witnessed the shooting told the NY Post Shriner was using her gun to protect her property from an intruder and didn't see the police officers arrive at her property until they opened fire.
They claim that the LAPD failed to announce themselves when they arrived on the scene and the 51-year-old couldn't see them.
"I don’t know how they’re claiming that she could have seen them that fast," they said. "If she had been able to see them and ascertain that they were who they said they were, I’m pretty sure she would have dropped the gun.
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"There’s just no reason for it. There’s no way that if a police officer - who you can see as a police officer who says to you to drop the gun - that you’re not going to."
Tyla has contacted the LAPD for a comment.
Bec Oakes