Killing of Latasha Harlins
Latasha Harlins (1976 – March 16, 1991) was a 15 year-old African-American girl who was shot and killed on March 16, 1991 by Soon Ja Du, a 51 year-old Korean store owner. Harlins was a student at Westchester High School in Los Angeles, California. Because Harlins's death came just thirteen days after the videotaped beating of Rodney King, and because Du was only given a fine and community service for her action, the shooting is cited in some sources as being one of the causes of the 1992 Los Angeles riots. In 1994, Rapper 2Pac released a song entitled "Keep Ya Head Up" which was dedicated to Latasha Harlins. Tupac mentioned Harlins in his songs, on tracks like "Thugz Mansion" ("Little Latasha, she's grown/ Tell the lady in the liquor store that she’s forgiven/ So come home") and "Hellrazor" ("Dear Lord if ya hear me, tell me why/ Little girl like LaTasha, had to die/").[1][2]
Summary
The South Los Angeles store, Empire Liquor, was normally staffed by Du's husband and son. However, on the morning of the shooting, Du was working behind the counter, and her husband was outside resting in the family's van.
Soon Ja Du saw Latasha Harlins putting a bottle of orange juice in her backpack. Du thought Harlins was attempting to steal but did not see the money in Harlins's hand.[3][4] Du attempted to grab Harlins by the sweater and snatched her backpack. Harlins then struck Du three times, knocking Du to the ground. After Harlins backed away Du then threw a stool at her. Harlins then picked up the orange juice that dropped during the scuffle put it on the counter and turned to leave. Du reached under the counter to retrieve a handgun. Du then fired at Harlins from behind and shot her in the back of her head, then fainted. Du's husband, Billy Heung Ki Du, heard the shot and rushed into the store. After speaking to his wife, who falsely[5] said she had been robbed, he dialed 9-1-1 to report the shooting. Paramedics soon arrived, but Harlins was dead, her two dollars still in her left hand.[6]
Du testified on her own behalf, stating that it was self-defense and that her life was in danger, but her words were contradicted by the statements of the two witnesses present at the time and the security camera footage, which showed her shooting Harlins in the back of the head as the 15 year-old girl was attempting to leave the store. [7] Du was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and was subsequently sentenced to five years probation, four hundred hours of community service, and a $500.00 fine.[8] The sentence was decided by Judge Joyce Karlin.[9] The jury in Du's trial had recommended a 16-year prison sentence.
Impact
The incident and sentencing by the court exacerbated already existing tensions between African-American residents and Asian-American merchants in South Central Los Angeles. Those tensions were later interpreted as being one of the catalysts of the 1992 Los Angeles riots as numerous Korean owned businesses were attacked.[1][10]
References
- ^ a b Tom Mathews et.al., "The Siege of L.A.", Newsweek, May 1992.
- ^ David Ellis, "L.A. Lawless", Time, May 1992.
- ^ A Senseless and Tragic Killing: New tension for Korean-American and African-American communities", Los Angeles Times", Page B6
- ^ (1991, March 22). "Merchant Charged in Girl's Fatal Shooting", The New York Times
- ^ Ford, Andrea and John H. Lee. (1991, Mary 19). "Slain Girl Was Not Stealing Juice, Police Say: The incident in which the 15-year-old was killed by a market owner was captured on a security system videotape.", Los Angeles Times, Page B1
- ^ http://www.audiocasefiles.com/acf_cases/9963-people-v-superior-court-du-
- ^ Ford, Andrea. (1991, October 2). "911, TV Tapes Tell Different Tales in Killing of Teen-Ager", Los Angeles Times, Page B3
- ^ http://occr.ucdavis.edu/ccbp2004/timeline.cfm
- ^ http://www.nytimes.com/1992/01/24/news/judge-who-gave-probation-in-a-slaying-may-be-moved.html
- ^ David Ellis, "L.A. Lawless", Time, May 1992.