Jillian Lauren-Shriner Reflects on LAPD Shooting Incident

Author Jillian Lauren-Shriner has spoken publicly for the first time about a distressing incident in April 2023, when she was shot by officers of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The event unfolded during a hit-and-run investigation that led police to her neighborhood in Los Angeles. In her interview with Rolling Stone, Lauren-Shriner characterized her actions as a response of “self-defense” amid a chaotic confrontation.

According to LAPD statements, the situation escalated when Lauren-Shriner allegedly fired at officers who were attempting to communicate with her over a fence. In return, the officers discharged their weapons, striking her in the arm. Following the incident, she faced two felony counts, including discharging a firearm with gross negligence and assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Initially charged with attempted murder, she later pleaded not guilty to the reduced charges.

Lauren-Shriner, who is in a two-year mental health diversion program, mentioned that while she cannot discuss certain details due to ongoing legal proceedings, she is hopeful for a complete dismissal of her charges. “I was doing the best I knew to protect my family,” she expressed, emphasizing her instinct for self-defense during the incident.

Impact on Personal Life

The aftermath of the incident has profoundly affected Lauren-Shriner’s life. She described how the event left her feeling as if her world had “fallen to pieces.” Earlier this month, she filed for divorce from her husband, Scott Shriner, the bassist of the band Weezer, after 20 years of marriage. Citing “irreconcilable differences,” she explained that the couple, who share two adopted children, had been drifting apart for years, with the police incident pushing their relationship to a breaking point.

Reflecting on her marriage, Lauren-Shriner stated, “It’s like you spend your whole life just getting an entire deck of cards in order. And just take them and throw them up in the air one day, and I’m still waiting to see how they’re gonna land.” Despite the challenges, she remains proud of the family they built together, noting that he is still her best friend and they have always supported one another.

Future Endeavors and Personal Challenges

While Lauren-Shriner’s writing often explores her personal experiences, she initially dismissed the idea of documenting her recent encounter with law enforcement. “In the throes of it, I was saying I will never do a book about this because I can’t experience this again,” she recalled. Yet, she has since reconsidered, stating, “Books are what I do.”

Her previous works include the memoir Everything You Ever Wanted (2015) and Some Girls: My Life in a Harem (2010), which recounts her time in the harem of the Prince of Brunei. Following her plea, the judge approved her participation in the mental health diversion program, which also entails counseling and random drug and alcohol testing.

Lauren-Shriner candidly discussed her mental health, stating, “My PTSD is a very real thing. I’m a victim of sex trafficking and domestic violence.” The media coverage surrounding her case, particularly the headlines about her mental health diversion, prompted her to reflect on broader societal issues. “When the headlines said ‘Mental Health Diversion,’ what I really thought was, ‘OK, good. People are so scared to talk about this.’ I’m in a position where I can speak to it.”

As she navigates this tumultuous chapter in her life, Lauren-Shriner remains focused on her family and her future. Despite the pain associated with the headlines about her divorce, she is determined to heal and continue her work as a writer.