Killing of Latasha Harlins
Latasha Harlins (1976-1991) was a 15-year old African American girl who was shot and killed on March 16, 1991, by Soon Ja Du, a female Korean American store owner. Harlins was a student at Westchester High School in Los Angeles, California.
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 because her son had received death threats from local gang members against whom he was testifying in court and her husband was out resting in the family's van. Harlins' death came just 13 days after the videotaped beating of Rodney King by Los Angeles Police Department officers.
In a video captured by the security camera in the store, Latasha Harlins was seen putting a $1.79 bottle of orange juice into her backpack, with the top of the carton protruding. Du observed this action by Harlins, but apparently did not notice that Harlins had then approached the store's counter with money in her hand. Empire Liquor had experienced frequent incidents involving criminal activities such as shoplifting and burglary, as did most grocery markets in the area. Du physically confronted Harlins by grabbing Harlins by the sweater and attempting to confiscate her backpack by force. Harlins responded by punching Du at least three times, knocking Du to the ground. Du then threw a stool and immediately reached under the counter to retrieve a handgun. Harlins threw the orange juice onto the counter, turned and started to leave the store. Du fired once, hitting Harlins in the back of the head, and fainted.[1][2][3]
Du's husband, Billy Heung Ki Du, heard the shot and rushed into the store. After speaking with his bruised wife, who falsely claimed to have been robbed before fainting, dialed 9-1-1 to report the shooting and supposed theft. Paramedics soon arrived. However, it was too late; Harlins was dead, her two dollars still in her left hand.
Du testified on her own behalf, but her words were contradicted by the videotape and the statements of the two witnesses present at the time.[4] Du was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and was subsequently sentenced to: five years probation, four-hundred hours of community service, and US$500.00 fine. The sentence was decided by Judge Joyce Karlin however the jury in Du's trial recommended a 16-year jail sentence.
Impact
The incident and sentencing by the court exacerbated already existing tensions between African American residents and Korean American merchants in South Central Los Angeles. Those tensions would prove to be one of the catalysts of the 1992 Los Angeles riots. During the course of the riots, Empire Liquor Market was burnt to the ground, along with many other businesses.
Tupac Shakur has referenced Harlins and her killing in several songs, including Thugz Mansion, I Wonder If Heaven Got A Ghetto, and Hellrazor. The Harlins shooting is believed to be what fueled Ice Cube's song Black Korea.
References
- ^ - 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.
- ^ - A Senseless and Tragic Killing: New tension for Korean-American and African-American communities
- ^ - Merchant Charged in Girl's Fatal Shooting
- ^ 911, TV Tapes Tell Different Tales in Killing of Teen-Ager Murder trial: The Korean store owner told a police operator that the black girl had tried to take money. But the security recording conflicts with that version.