# violence
A 14-year-old girl who was killed when Los Angeles police officers opened fire on a suspect at a clothing store, sending a bullet through a wall, was remembered Monday as a happy teenager who spent time with many sporty friends, loved animals and excelled in school.
Valentina Orellana-Peralta's body, dressed ina pink dress, was placed ina flower-draped casket next to a large photograph of the girl during a funeral at the City of Refuge at Gardena United Church of Christ near Los Angeles.
The teenager's father, Juan Pablo Aureliana Larenas, said he and her mother would never get over the pain of losing Valentina so violently.
"As parents, we ask ourselves, is it just our daughter who died like this? That's the answer we'll never get, "he said.
Orellana-peralta died Dec. 23 in the arms of her mother, Soledad Peralta, at the Burlington store near North Hollywood in the SAN Fernando Valley. Police shot and killed a suspect who was acting strangely and brutally attacked two women.
One of the bullets went through drywall behind the man, killing the girl, who was hiding in a locker room with her mother, police said.
"We pray for peace and justice for the innocent blood spilled," said Benjamin Crump, an attorney for the girl's family. An emotional Kropp had mourners chant "Valentina is innocent! During the Monday service.