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Los Angeles police video shows chaos moments before fatal shooting of 14-year-old girl

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LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) - Body-camera video released yesterday showed the chaotic, violent moments leading to the fatal Los Angeles police shooting of an assault suspect in a clothing store, and of a 14-year-old girl caught in the line of fire while hiding inside a dressing room.

The stray bullet that pierced the fitting-room wall, killing the girl, is believed to have come from the gun of the police officer seen firing three rifle shots at the suspect, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said in posting the video.

The girl who died in the Dec. 23 shooting has not been publicly named by police. But local media have identified her as Valentina Orellana-Peralta, who they said was shopping with her mother for a dress for her upcoming quinceaner­a, a 15th birthday celebratio­n in Hispanic traditions.

The girl was born and raised in Santiago, Chile, and came to the United States six months ago with her mother to visit an older sister, the Los Angeles Times reported.

LAPD officers dispatched to the store were responding to several radio calls of an assault and possible shooting in progress, police said.

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