Best-selling author Jillian Lauren has been shot by police and charged with attempted murder after a dramatic confrontation unfolded in her backyard in Los Angeles. The incident, which occurred during a chaotic search for hit-and-run suspects, has stunned fans and the literary community alike.
The events took place on Tuesday during a police pursuit that began after a car accident in the city. Authorities were searching for three individuals who allegedly fled the scene. One of the suspects reportedly ended up on the street where Lauren lives with her husband, musician Scott Shriner, bassist for the rock band Weezer.
According to a police statement, the 51-year-old author emerged from her home armed with a handgun. Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, she allegedly pointed it at the officers, prompting them to open fire. She was struck in the shoulder.
Reports indicate that before the police confrontation, Lauren may have fired her weapon at one of the fleeing suspects after he allegedly tried to break into her property. The shooting itself occurred in the backyard of her residence, located in the trendy Eagle Rock neighborhood in northeast Los Angeles.
Following the shooting, Lauren reportedly retreated into her home and remained inside for around thirty minutes. She eventually surrendered to police alongside her babysitter. Both were taken into custody, and Lauren was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities later recovered a nine-millimeter handgun from the home. Lauren was subsequently charged with attempted murder. It remains unclear whether the charges are connected solely to her actions toward the officers or also include her alleged confrontation with the suspect.
Meanwhile, the California Highway Patrol apprehended one of the hit-and-run suspects shortly after the incident. The individual was discovered wearing only boxer shorts in the backyard of a home near Lauren’s property. Earlier footage captured by news helicopters showed the man removing his clothes, swimming in a neighbor’s pool, and watering plants in what appeared to be a bizarre attempt to disguise himself and blend into the surroundings. His identity has not yet been released, and the other two suspects remain at large.
Jillian Lauren is best known for her memoir Some Girls: My Life in a Harem, which recounts her time in the harem of Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei. Her writing gained further acclaim with Behold the Monster, a chilling true crime account based on interviews with serial killer Samuel Little, who confessed to nearly 100 murders across decades.
Married to Shriner since 2005, Lauren has often spoken publicly about her family and artistic life. The timing of the incident comes just days before her husband’s band is scheduled to perform at the Coachella music festival. Weezer was recently announced as a surprise addition to the festival lineup, alongside global pop star Ed Sheeran. It is not yet known whether Lauren’s arrest will have any impact on those plans.
The case has attracted widespread attention due to Lauren’s public profile, her work in crime writing, and the unusual circumstances of the standoff. As legal proceedings unfold, many questions remain about what led to her involvement and how the incident escalated so dramatically.
