Soon Ja Du

Soon Ja Du is the Korean American Los Angeles liquor store owner infamous for shooting and killing 15-year-old Latasha Harlins in 1991. 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. Just thirteen days after the videotaped beating of Rodney King by LAPD officers, Du saw Harlins slip a $1.79 bottle of juice in her backpack. In the ensuing struggle, where Soon Ja Du was punched several times in the face, Harlins walked away and was shot in the back and killed. This incident heated up the already tense race relations in Los Angeles.

Related Topics:
Korean American - Los Angeles - Latasha Harlins - 1991 - March 16 - Rodney King - LAPD

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Du was charged with murder but was convicted by a jury of voluntary manslaughter. Du was sentenced to five years of probation, four hundred hours of community service, and a $500 fine. Du had faced eleven years in prison. Her light sentence was perceived by many as an indication of the value that society placed on the value of African Americans in Los Angeles. Anger over the incident was a precipitating factor in the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Korean-owned businesses were targeted for burning and looting during the riots.

Related Topics:
Voluntary manslaughter - Probation - African American - 1992 Los Angeles riots

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