True-Crime Author Jillian Lauren Shot by LAPD and Arrested Ahead of Husband’s Weezer Set at Coachella

Jillian Lauren — bestselling author, true-crime documentarian, and wife of Weezer bassist Scott Shriner — was wounded in a police-involved shooting and charged with attempted murder following a standoff in Los Angeles

In a shocking turn of events just days before Weezer is set to take the stage at Coachella 2025, true-crime author Jillian Lauren — the wife of the band’s bassist Scott Shriner — was shot by police and arrested outside her Los Angeles home on April 8.

Lauren, 51, who gained national attention through her bestselling memoirs and the Starz docuseries Confronting a Serial Killer, was involved in a dramatic confrontation with the Los Angeles Police Department in the Eagle Rock neighborhood. According to a statement released by the LAPD on April 9, the incident began as officers pursued suspects in a misdemeanor hit-and-run on the 134 Freeway. Authorities established a perimeter on Waldo Place, where one of the suspects was reportedly seen fleeing.

It was there that Lauren — legally known as Jillian Shriner — emerged from her home allegedly carrying a handgun. Police say they issued repeated commands for her to drop the weapon, but she refused and ultimately pointed it toward officers, prompting what officials described as an “Officer-Involved Shooting.”

Lauren was struck by gunfire, retreated into her home, and later reappeared outside, where she was taken into custody. She was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and later absentee booked on suspicion of attempted murder. Jail records indicate her bail has been set at $1 million.

While officials confirmed that Lauren had no connection to the initial hit-and-run investigation, her actions triggered a swift and severe response from law enforcement. As of now, neither Lauren nor Shriner has issued a public statement. Representatives for the couple and Weezer declined to comment.

Lauren’s unexpected entanglement with the LAPD has sent ripples through both the literary and music communities. Known for her unflinching storytelling and dark subject matter, she authored Some Girls: My Life in a Harem — a memoir about her time as a concubine of Brunei’s Prince Jefri Bolkiah — and Everything You Ever Wanted, which detailed her journey through adoption and motherhood.

In recent years, Lauren emerged as a powerful voice in the true-crime space. She became a central figure in the 2021 Starz docuseries Confronting a Serial Killer, chronicling her correspondence with Samuel Little — considered America’s most prolific serial killer. Her 2023 book, Behold the Monster: Facing America’s Most Prolific Serial Killer, expanded on that chilling exploration of evil.

Despite the headlines, Weezer is still scheduled to perform on the Mojave Stage at Coachella this Saturday. The beloved alt-rock band joins a star-studded lineup including Lady Gaga, Green Day, Travis Scott, and Post Malone. The second weekend will feature performances from other major acts, including Ed Sheeran.

As the legal proceedings surrounding Jillian Lauren’s case begin to unfold, the future remains uncertain for the author and her family. For now, the public is left with more questions than answers, as one of the true-crime world’s most fearless voices finds herself at the center of a real-life investigation.