Weezer bassist’s wife to enter mental health program – NBC Los Angeles

The wife of a Weezer band bassist Thursday was granted a two-year mental health diversion program after she was accused of firing her weapon at police officers who were conducting a search in her Eagle Rock neighborhood in April 

Jill Shriner, 52, was found to be “eligible and suitable” for mental health diversion, according to an LA County Superior Court judge.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office said Shriner’s legal team requested mental health diversion. As part of the agreement, she will be subjected to quarterly progress reports for the next two years. 

“Any violation reported to the court may result in potential termination of the diversion,” the DA’s office told NBC4 Investigates. “If she successfully completes the conditions of the diversion, the case will be dismissed by the court.”

A health diversion program is supposed to allow suspects or defendants with a qualifying mental health or substance use disorder to receive community-based treatment instead of facing traditional prosecution or incarceration.  

Entering the mental health diversion program means the two felony charges she is facing from the exchange of gunfire with officers could be dismissed.

The judge also ordered Shriner to comply with a number of conditions, including abstaining from illicit drugs and alcohol, continue to participate in weekly therapy sessions, undergo  random drug and alcohol testing, attend at least three Alcoholics Anonymous meetings a week and not own or possess any guns or knives.

The incident involving Shriner happened on April 8 on Waldo Place near Eagle Vista Drive as LAPD officers were searching for three hit-and-run suspects who were allegedly involved in an earlier crash on the 134 Freeway.

Shriner was not a target of the search, but officers in the neighborhood spotted her with a handgun in the yard of her home, according to the LAPD.

“The officers ordered Shriner to drop the handgun numerous times, however, she refused,” according to an LAPD statement. “Shriner then pointed the handgun at the officers” prompting at least one to open fire. Authorities later said Shriner actually fired the weapon, but no officers were injured. 

Shriner “was struck by gunfire and fled into her residence,” police said. “She later exited and was taken into custody.”

She was taken to a hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening injury to an arm, then later booked into jail. She was later freed on $1 million bail. 

According to the LAPD, a 9mm handgun was recovered from her home.

Shriner has been married to Weezer bass player Scott Shriner since 2005, and the couple has two adopted children.