by Jillian Lauren, wife of Weezer bassist Scott Shriner, has been sentenced to a two-year mental health program instead of prison time after shooting at police. The Los Angeles Times reported this development.
The court ruling came after a mental health diversion petition was granted. This allowed Lauren to avoid jail time under specific conditions.
“L.A. County Superior Court Judge Susan J. DeWitt granted a petition to spare Lauren from serving jail time, determining she was eligible for mental health diversion,” the Los Angeles Times reported. “Under the terms of the agreement, Lauren must not own firearms, avoid the use of drugs and alcohol and attend therapy.”
The agreement includes a provision for complete dismissal of charges upon successful completion.
“If she successfully complies with the agreement for two years, all charges will be dismissed,” a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office stated. “Prosecutors did not oppose the diversion petition,” the spokeswoman said.
The incident that led to these charges occurred in April 2025. Lauren found herself in a dangerous confrontation with law enforcement officers in her Eagle Rock neighborhood.
WGLT reported that Los Angeles Police Department officers were pursuing hit-and-run suspects when they arrived in Lauren’s neighborhood. They discovered her armed in her backyard. Police reported that she refused to drop her handgun and opened fire on the officers. The officers returned fire and wounded her with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police1 noted that following the shooting, Lauren retreated inside her home and packed an overnight bag. She was subsequently transported to the hospital. The original charges of attempted murder were later reduced to assault and negligent discharge of a firearm. This reflected the complex circumstances surrounding the incident.
Lauren, 52, brings a unique background to this case as both a bestselling author and adoption advocate. USA Today confirmed she has been married to Shriner for 20 years. They live in Los Angeles with their two adopted sons, including one from Ethiopia who has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The family’s experience with mental health challenges adds context to the court’s decision to grant mental health diversion. Wikipedia documented that Lauren has publicly spoken about managing her son’s mental health issues. This demonstrates the family’s familiarity with mental health treatment and advocacy.
The case highlights the use of mental health diversion programs as an alternative to traditional sentencing in the criminal justice system. These programs recognize underlying conditions that may contribute to criminal behavior.
