Killing of Latasha Harlins “ in 1991
Latasha Harlins (January 1, 1976 – March 16, 1991) was an African American girl who was fatally shot at age 15 in Los Angeles by Soon Ja Du (Korean: 두순자), a 49-year-old Korean American convenience store owner.
Du was tried and convicted of voluntary manslaughter over the killing, based in part on security camera footage. The judge sentenced Du to 10 years in state prison, but the sentence was suspended, and the defendant was instead placed on five years' probation with 400 hours of community service and payment of $500 restitution, and Harlins' funeral costs.
The sentencing was widely regarded as extremely light, and a failed appeal reportedly contributed to the 1992 Los Angeles riots, especially the targeting of Koreatown. The killing came 13 days after the videotaped police beating of Rodney King.
Soon Ja Du's store, Empire Liquor, was located at the intersection of West 91st Street and South Figueroa Street, Vermont Vista, Los Angeles, and 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 van.
Shortly before 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, Harlins entered the store. Du observed Harlins putting a $1.79 bottle of orange juice in her backpack. Du concluded Harlins was attempting to steal, and did not see the money Harlins held in her hand. Du claimed that she had asked Harlins if she intended to pay for the orange juice, and that Harlins had responded, "What orange juice?" Two eyewitnesses—9-year-old Ismail Ali and his 13-year-old sister Lakeshia Combs—disputed that claim, saying that Du immediately accused Harlins of trying to steal, and that Harlins had replied that she intended to pay for the orange juice.
After speaking with the two eyewitnesses present and viewing a videotape of the incident, recorded by a store security camera, the police concluded that Harlins intended to pay for the beverage with money in hand.
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