Latasha Harlins

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Latasha Harlins (1976-1991) was an African-American teenager shot and killed by Soon Ja Du, a Korean-American liquor store worker. Although the store, Empire Liquor, was normally staffed by Du's husband and son, she was working behind the counter the morning of March 16, 1991, because her son had received death threats from gang members and her husband was out resting. Harlins' death came just 13 days after the videotaped beating of Rodney King by LAPD officers.

In a video captured by the security camera in the store, Latasha Harlins, a fifteen-year-old African-American girl, was seen putting a $1.79 bottle of orange juice into her backpack. Du apparently observed this action by Harlins, but apparently did not notice that Harlins had then approached the store's counter with money in her hand, as though she were preparing to pay. Empire Liquor had had frequent problems with shoplifting and burglary, and Du abruptly confronted Harlins, grabbing Harlins' sweater. Harlins broke free from Du's grasp, and immediately responded by punching Du four times, the second blow knocking Du to the ground. Du then threw a stool, and Harlins withdrew, turned around, and began to walk out of the store. Du reached under the counter to retrieve a gun and pointed it at Harlins. Du shot Harlins in the back of the head and then passed out.^{[#endnote_video]}^{[#endnote_video2]}

Du's husband, Billy Heung Ki Du, heard the shot and rushed into the store to dial 9-1-1. However, it was too late; Harlins was dead.

Du would be convicted of voluntary manslaughter and given a light sentence of 5 years probation, 400 hours of community service, and a $500 fine by Judge Joyce Karlin after the jury in her trial had recommended a 16 year jail sentence.

The incident and sentencing by the court exacerbated already existing tensions between African-American residents and Asian-American merchants in the area. Those tensions would prove to be one of the catalysts of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, and indeed the Harlins incident specifically would result in a wave of retaliation crimes committed by outraged African-Americans against Korean-Americans prior to and during those riots.

During enusing years, noted rapper Tupac Shakur referenced Harlins and her killing in several of his songs.

Notes

↑ "Slain Girl Was Not Stealing Juice, Police Say Shooting", Los Angeles Times, March 19, 1991
↑ "A Senseless and Tragic Killing New tension for Korean-American and African-American communities", Los Angeles Times, March 20, 1991

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