Harlins hit Du four times and one of the blows caused Dus eye to swell, Combs said. Steph Cha's novel Your House Will Pay centers on the aftermath of the murder of a 16-year-old African-American girl in South Central Los Angeles. We did our best to pay just about everyone who was a part of the crew, and some people did it out of love, Allison says. Want morePDN? Here's her grandmother, Ruth, who the kids call Madea (ph), remembering the day she sent Latasha to the store. Soon Ja Du the markets Korea-born owner saw the orange juice sticking out of Harlins backpack and assumed she was stealing it, even though the teenager had cash in her hand. [23], The incident and reduced sentencing by the court exacerbated the existing tensions between African-American residents and Korean-American merchants in South Central Los Angeles. How come she can she just die for one bottle of juice?" Atop these voice-overs, there are photos of Harlins and footage of the South Central community in which Harlins grew up. There is no space held for what it means when a Black girl is threatened, when a Black girl is accosted, when a Black girl does not feel safe and does not have protection. Latasha Harlins, American Girl South Central remembered the 15-year-old girl killed 13 days after Rodney King was beaten. Feder-Haugabook, A. When she was six years old, her family moved to South-Central L.A. by Greyhound bus. Ty and Shinese want to create their own community center. . After the change in national immigration laws in 1965 a large number of Korean immigrants arrived in Los Angeles and by 1968 the first Korean-owned market opened in South Central LA. And something that was really important to me is, what does it mean to speak to people like her cousin, Shinese Harlins, and her best friends, like Tybie OBard, who were the same age as Latasha? It was March 1991 when Harlins had put a bottle of orange juice in her backpack in a store owned by a Korea-born shopkeeper at 92nd and Figueroa Streets. WebLatasha Harlins January 1 1976 March 16 1991 was an African-American girl who was fatally shot at age 15 by Soon Ja Du Korean a 49-year-old. Latasha Harlins, whose short life came to a violent end in the midst of racial tensions in Los Angeles, California, became a major spark for the 1992 Los Angeles Riots. Du reached under the counter, retrieved a revolver, and fired at Harlins from behind at a distance of about three feet (one meter). White Judge Joyce Karlin, however, gave Du probation, 400 hours of community service, and a $500 fine. Residents shouted Latasha Harlins name as they torched Korean-owned businesses including Soon Ja Dus own Empire Liquor. She didn't do nothing! Now 30 years later, a mural honoring the South-Central L.A. teenagers life has surfaced at the Algin Sutton Recreation Center in Los Angeles. She died instantly. 20072023 Blackpast.org. [39] In both cases, there was video evidence depicting wrongdoing and in both cases, the defendants did not serve any jail time. I wanted to tell Latashas stories from those that knew her best. After putting it into her backpack, where it jutted out from the top, she made her way to the counter. All rights reserved. By this time, a city-wide curfew had been enforced. "[41][43] After Denise Harlins was removed from the ballroom, Karlin gave a speech, stating "There are those in the community who demand that we define justice by what is politically correct. The story of Latasha Harlins, who was killed at age 15, is explored in "A Love Song for Latasha," which scored an Oscar nomination Monday. People have seen it, and I think we really need to interrogate what it means to constantly think that it is necessary to see Black trauma, to see Black death as a way to make some sort of connection or as a way to make people understand the importance and the significance and the core of it. [24][25][26] On August 17, 1991, while Du was awaiting trial, a small fire occurred at her store. ("Korean motherfuckers was crooked/So niggas had to burn and loot 'em [] Lickin' off shots for Latasha, that's proper"). Menu. They rented a place near 89th Street and Broadway, just a few blocks from where Latasha would later be murdered. Related Links:Frames Per Second: How Independent Filmmakers Earn Back Their Production InvestmentTips for Pitching Your Film Successfully to Festivals and FundersThe Funding and Distribution of a Feature-Length DocumentaryFirst-Time Director Jonathan Olshefski on Creating a Feature-Length Documentary, January 7, 2020 WebOn March 16, 1991, 15-year-old Latasha Harlins was shot and killed by a liquor store owner who accused her of stealing. Du was tried and convicted of voluntary manslaughter over the killing of Harlins, based in part on security camera footage. So for me, its always about creating a secret language for other Black girls, so that they know they are seen, they know that their existence is important, they know that there are other people believing in them, supporting them, rooting for them. Du concluded Harlins was attempting to steal, and did not see the money Harlins held in her hand. Udeorji advised Allison on sound editing and music licensing, and helped her with logistics, locations and casting during the two years she was shooting the film., At a gathering of filmmakers, Allison met Janice Duncan, who had worked as a director and producer on fictional features. They called her name as they set fire to hundreds of Korean-owned businesses. Harlens was a student at Westchester High School in Los Angeles, California. And she had the money in her hand to pay the lady. According to a young witness named Ismail Ali, who was in the store with his older sister at the time, the middle-aged Soon Ja Du saw the girl and immediately yelled, You bitch, you are trying to steal my orange juice.. After speaking to his wife, who asked for the whereabouts of Harlins before fainting, he dialed 9-1-1 to report an attempted holdup. Thereafter, Shakur made frequent mention of Harlins in his songs, including in tracks like "Something 2 Die 4 (Interlude)" ("Latasha Harlins, remember that name 'Cause a bottle of juice is not something to die for"), "Thugz Mansion" ("Little Latasha, sho' grown/Tell the lady in the liquor store that she's forgiven/So come home"), "I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto" ("Tell me what's a black life worth/A bottle of juice is no excuse, the truth hurts/And even when you take the shit/Move counties get a lawyer, you can shake the shit/Ask Rodney, Latasha, and many more"), "White Mans World" ("Rest in Peace to Latasha, Little Yummy, and Kato"), "Hellrazor" ("Dear Lord if ya hear me, tell me why/Little girl like Latasha, had to die")[47][48] and "N.I.G.G.A." "[40], Karlin became the target of protests and an unsuccessful recall campaign. When Du's husband, Billy Heung Ki Du, heard the gun go off he raced into the shop to see what was happening and after speaking to his wife, saw Latasha and then fainted. In November, 1991, Du was found guilt of voluntary manslaughter, a crime that can result in a 16 year prison sentence, which the jury recommended she service. Diversity means we see you, but we really dont need to engage with you. However, on the morning of the shooting, Du was working behind the counter, and her husband was outside resting in the family van. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kiw6Q9-lfXc&has_verified=1. Police concluded that Latasha was not shoplifting and had the $2.00 dollars in her hand when she was killed. I think Im just grateful that we have Black folks who are willing to do the work that is necessary, folks that are willing to challenge policies that are being set in place, people that are willing to march in the street, people that are willing to lay their lives down on the line, people that are willing to tell truth through art, through film, through music, scholars that are giving us the language to understand what it means to build new futures. And when I was 15, I actually lost my dad. She was briefly caught but escaped from jail and was never seen again. Police, after speaking to the people in the store at the time and watching CCTV of the incident, agreed that the youngster had been planning to pay. Protesters noted that a week after the death of Latasha Harlins, a Glendale man received a more severe sentence than Du for kicking a dog. Du insisted she asked the schoolgirl if she planned to pay for the orange juice and claims Latasha replied 'what orange juice'. Her death happened thirteen days after the videotape of the Rodney King beating was released. Meron Menghistab on shooting "A Day in the Life of Trevor Noah" for Vice.com, and his strategy for staying busy. [22] In July 1992, Latasha's brother and sister received a $300,000 settlement from a civil suit brought against Soon Ja Du, which was paid by the store's insurance policy. "We got all this racism, hate going on. What are you hoping that people take away from your documentary about both Latasha Harlins story and the larger concept of Black girlhood? The family moved from Illinois to South Central Los Angeles in 1981. I said I wanted to know more about Latasha beyond her death, and learn who she was as a person, Allison explains. In 1998, the California State Assembly named April 29 as Latasha Harlins Day. BUY THE MOVIE: As the Harlins back was turned, Du reached for her gun and aimed it at the back of her head. Shocked, Latasha can be seen hitting Du twice, which knocked her to the ground, before she started to back away, after dropping the orange juice in the fracas. That footage has been widely circulated. ROGERS: I remember we were at the park, and that's where the ice cream truck used to come. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Sophia Nahli Allison at the Oscars last Sunday. WebAP. This is not television. WebKings - The Death of Latasha Harlins: A dramatic realization of the murder of an innocent black teenager by a convenience store owner. Rodney was awarded $3.8million in damages from the City of Los Angeles and was found dead in 2012 from accidental drowning. In the aftermath of the riots, LAPD's chief of police, Daryl Gates, resigned and rival gangs called a temporary truce, including the Crips and the Bloods. A Love Song for Latasha is not about Black trauma, but the most important part about this film is that we did not incorporate the footage of Latashas death. [8], The film premiered at the Tribecca Film Festival and screened at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. At the time of her own death in 1991, Latasha was a student at Westchester High School. [29] However, while tensions had exponentially increased because of the killing of Harlins, they were built on existing conflict that had been present in the community. ACOFF: You know, she was a caretaker. Left Ken Browar and Deborah Ory; Right John Paul Caponigro, Sundance Institutes New Frontier Lab Programs. I think about when I was a young girl and the films that really inspired me. The jury found Du guilty of voluntary manslaughter, an offense that carries a maximum prison sentence of 16 years. What do you make of police violence and racism continuing to rob Black girls of their childhoods and, in some cases, their lives? Copyright 2022 NPR. EN RU CN DE ES. Longtime African American residents in the area at first welcomed the Koreans but eventually grew angry with them because they refused to hire black employees and often treated their customers poorly. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. After Harlins backed away, Du angrily threw a stool at her. Latasha, 15, was shot in the back of the head by a Korean woman who owned a South Los Angeles liquor store. [35] Many of the targets of looting and destruction were Korean stores; more than two thousand Korean stores burned or looted. "Thank everyone for coming out, supporting my sister Latasha Harlins. [12] After speaking with the two eyewitnesses present and viewing the 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. In memory, especially when trauma is involved, details are blurry, she notes. These are the names of two Black girls whose lives were stolen from them, 30 years apart. This is real life. A videotape played Monday in a Los Angeles courtroom showed that Latasha Harlins had turned away from a scuffle with a Korean grocer when the black teen-ager was shot in the back of the head. [27], During the 1992 riots, Du's store was looted and burned down; it never reopened. [9], The documentary short received strongly favorable reviews. Karlin added, "this is not a time for revenge and no matter what sentence this court imposes Mrs. Du will be punished every day for the rest of her life." Disrupting American societys harmful tendencies to portray Black girls as more mature than other children their ageto deny them of their childhoodsis key for experimental documentary filmmaker and photographer Sophia Nahli Allison, whose work aims to portray young Black girls as just that: young girls. Black folks have always been doing the work, but what dismantling the system for me means is that others acknowledge how they have been a part of the problem, how they have been complicit, how they have allowed the systems to continue, and that no one is challenging or wanting to make others uncomfortable. The childrens maternal grandmother, Ruth Harlins, then raised Latasha and her siblings. Du was tried and convicted of voluntary manslaughter in Harlins' death and sentenced to time served, five years of probation, 400 hours of community service, a $500 restitution, and funeral expenses. We encountered an issue signing you up. WebLatasha was a 15-year-old African-American girl who was unlawfully shot and killed by a Korean American store-owner. She pulled the trigger and Harlins hit the floor. A Love Song for Latasha premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in late April, and was screened at the AFI Docs festival in June. Lastasha and her siblings were taken in by their grandmother, Ruth Harlins, but the youngster was understandably devastated by what had happened to Crystal. One, as an L.A. native, this is a story that was important, one that had not been discussed in the fullness of who Latasha was. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. "Fourteen years old? The shopkeeper, Soon Ja Du, accused Harlins of trying to steal the juice before a scuffle broke out between the two. This tension, along with the beating of Rodney King by Los Angeles police on March 3, 1991, became a catalyst for the 1992 Los Angeles riots. The right people will come to you. McMahon took him at his word, More . The videotape of the incident lasted less than a minute, but showed Harlins and Du grappling at the store counter in a dispute over a bottle of orange juice. "I have been honored to spend the last 20 years serving the public but now I want to devote time to my family," Karlin wrote. WebLatasha Harlins was remembered Wednesday by a fervent crowd of about 50, including her grandmother, siblings and aunt, at a vigil in South Los Angeles in the place where she was Click here to sign up for our email newsletter and get the weeks top stories delivered straight to your inbox. WebA 15-year-old girl formed a cult that murdered up to 35 people as human sacrifices to become immortal. The best-known fact about Harlins, whose friends and family called her Tasha, is that she was killed over a $1.79 bottle of juice. Latashas grandmother was left in charge of her and her two siblings. Both sought to overcome adversity", "Liquor Permit Denied at Site of 1991 Killing", The People, petitioner v. The Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Respondent; Soon Ja Du, Real Party in Interest, "A Senseless and Tragic Killing: New tension for Korean-American and African-American communities", "Merchant Charged in Girl's Fatal Shooting", "Legal Audio Opinions and Courtroom Video LexisNexis Courtroom Cast", "Videotape Shows Teen Being Shot After Fight: Killing: Trial opens for Korean grocer who is accused in the slaying of a 15-year-old black girl at a South-Central store", "Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 Historical Timeline", "Judge Who Gave Probation In a Slaying May Be Moved", "U.S. Looks Into Korean Grocer's Slaying of Black", "Grocer Given Probation in Shooting of Girl", People v. Superior Court of Los Angeles County (Du), "LOS ANGELES: Family of Latasha Harlins Wins $300,000 Settlement", "African-Americans, Koreans Try to Heal Deep Wounds", "The L.A. Do you find this information helpful? Latasha Harlins. Get the latest headlines, releases and insider-gossip direct to your inbox with our Binge-worthy newsletter. This conversation will be archived at the Library of Congress. The killing was captured on a grainy security video. Kisuk Jun of the Koreatown Neighborhood Council said. [3] Ava DuVernay programmed the documentary as part of Array 360, and it was then picked up by Netflix. Like Udeorji, Duncan was eager to help tell Harlins story., When Allison and Duncan toured South Central, they had ideas of what they wanted to shoot but let a lot unfold, Allison says. The same month that King was beaten, 15-year-old Latasha Harlins was shot and killed by a store clerk in South Central Los Angeles. Get the day's biggest stories to your email - sign up for the Mirror newsletter, US protesters defy curfew to hit streets for 8th night as Trump labels them 'lowlife scum', Violent clashes between police and George Floyd protesters as US burns for sixth night, George Floyd protests across US hijacked by white provocateurs to start riots, George Floyd protests: Fires burn across US and policeman shot dead in clashes, On the flame-filled streets of Minneapolis full of fury at George Floyd's death, Police officer fired after video shows him repeatedly punching black man, Dad's heartbreak as terrified son, 10, hides from police - in his own driveway, Matt Hancock IGNORED Chris Whitty's advice to test people entering care homes for Covid at the start of pandemic, bombshell leaked messages claim, BREAKING: Harry and Meghan 'stunned' and two other royals 'appalled' by Frogmore eviction, says pal, Great British Bake Off to undergo huge revamp after flurry of viewer complaints, GMB's Susanna Reid forced to change outfit after fears it was too 'racy' for morning TV, Phil Foden makes Pep Guardiola point as Man City crush Bristol City, Dozens dead and more injured as head-on horror smash between packed passenger and cargo trains 'pulverised' carriages sparking huge blaze with rescue bid under way, King 'throws Harry and Meghan out of Frogmore and offers keys to Andrew', Ed Sheeran reveals wife Cherry had 'inoperable' tumour during pregnancy, Teary GMB guest calls late dad 'lamb to slaughter' amid Matt Hancock Covid WhatsApp claims, Fears heighten for missing aristocrat's baby after freezing night as police search continues, BREAKING: Just Fontaine - striker who scored most goals in single World Cup - dies, Channel 4 'axes reality show' after just one series in the latest blow to programmes, Subscribe to Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror newspapers. ), Throughout the 19-minute film, Harlins cousin, Shinese Harlins, and her best friend, Tybie OBard, share their memories of Latashalike her aspirations to become a lawyer, her love of basketball, and a memorable poem that she wrote just one month before her life was tragically cut short. I think we have to first acknowledge that theres an issue. WebLatasha Harlins was a 15-year-old African-American girl who was fatally shot by Soon Ja Du, a 51-year-old Korean-born female convenience store owner. As she approached the counter, Soon Ja Du, one of the storeowners, accused her of stealing after seeing Harlins place the bottle in her backpack, despite her holding the $2 payment for the $1.79 price of the juice and approaching the counter to pay. (Harlins death was one of the inciting incidents of the 1992 L.A. race riots, and the trial against her killer, store owner Soon Ja Du, garnered national attention; although Du was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter, she received a light sentence of probation and community service. The area was recovering from the recent Watts Riots and Koreans began buying businesses because they were inexpensive and there wasnt much competition. There was no audio on the tape, but the prosecutions first two witnesses--9-year-old Ismail Ali and his 13-year-old sister Lakeshia Combs--testified that there was a sharp exchange and name-calling by Du and Harlins. All rights reserved, Man Accused in West LA Hate Shootings Was Subject of Law Enforcement Alert, Pepper Spray Used on High Schoolers as Anti-Racism Protest Grows Unruly', Experts Say Big Bear Bald Eagle Eggs Unlikely to Hatch, This 26-Year-Old Pays $0 to Live in a Luxury Tiny Home' She Built for $35,000 in Her Backyard Take a Look Inside, Beckham High School Teacher in Irvine Accused of Recording Students in Bathroom. The Los Angeles mayor's office estimated that 65 percent of all businesses vandalized during the riots were Korean-owned. Harlins threw the juice bottle back on the counter and turned to leave the store when Du pulled a .38-caliber handgun and shot 15-year-old Harlins in the back of the head. Latasha was shot in the back of the head and died at the scene at the Empire Liquor Market on March 16, 1991. She was killed. Racial tensions were high, especially between local Korean store-owners and their impoverished black patrons. But security footage and the statements of the eye witnesses directly contradicted her account. Im hoping that people really begin to engage with new ways of discussing Black trauma. How do I challenge traditional rules of documentary so that Latasha can live in her fullness, and show evidence that she existed?. Allison, who had only shot documentaries and had no experience directing actors, would first tell the girls what she wanted to show, then simply follow them and observe. Black residents protested outside of the Empire Liquor Market, and Soon Ja Du was taken into custody. They came to StoryCorps to remember her. In reality, Latasha had been carrying the money to pay for the drink in her hand. [39] While King's case was the immediate catalyst to the violence, cases like that of Harlins fueled anger and demonstrated injustices against black people, which ultimately led to the riots. The funding allowed her to travel between North Carolina, where she had returned to graduate school, and South Central to keep filming. A year later, residents of Harlins neighborhood took to the streets in outrage. ROGERS: And we would have, like, spelling bees. Latasha Harlins was born January 1, 1976,[5][6] in East St. Louis, Illinois, to Crystal Harlins and Sylvester "Vester" Acoff Sr. Latasha had one younger brother, Vester Acoff Jr., and one younger sister, Christina. [49], Rapper Ice Cube composed a song about the incident for his album Death Certificate titled "Black Korea". Jasmine M. Ellis: What inspired you to make A Love Song for Latasha? Webhow old is alec and kaleb on the shriners commercial. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, Before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, Shocking, impossible gas bills push restaurants to the brink of closures, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles, Review: A reimagined Secret Garden fails to flower anew at the Ahmanson Theatre, Long Beach residents stymie plan for shelter; they say it wasnt about the homeless people, Linda Kasabian, Charles Manson follower who helped send him to prison, dies at 73, L.A. County agrees to $28.85-million settlement with Bryant family over crash photos, L.A. County moves to require quake retrofits as Turkey-Syria death toll exceeds 50,000, Column: As help pours in for World War II vet, 102, with huge bill, SoCalGas wants a rate hike. Latashas mother, Crystal, who worked as a waitress in a local tavern, was found brutally shot on November 27, 1985, in a Los Angeles nightclub. Let me go. . The court also stated that Du shot Harlins under extreme provocation and duress and deemed it unlikely that Du would ever commit a serious crime again. When I would watch Moesha or Sister, Sister, it meant so much for me to see my existence reflected. I feel so grateful and honored that they would agree to it., At the time, Allison was living and working in Los Angeles while taking a break from getting her masters in visual communication from the University of North Carolina. In order to break free, the 15-year-old girl struck Du in the face four times, knocking her down. At IndieWire, Dry called it a "bold and imaginative take on a vital subject" and "a strong contender for awards consideration." You always have dreams.. WebAllison chose not to include the footage of Harlinss death taken by the stores camera, which was shown on national news and was later used in the trial of the woman who shot her. The jury found Du guilty of voluntary manslaughter and recommended the maximum prison sentence of 16 years. We could make the most beautiful films, and there are still people that would not understand what the conversation is, would not understand why its important. She was trying to walk out the door, when she was shot, Lakeshia Combs testified. Though Allison also grew up in South Central, she didnt learn about Harlins until 2016. When I was reading about her, I was disturbed to find that all that existed of her online was the retelling of her final trauma, she recalls. WebIt was a major reason why Korean-Americans believed they were targeted during the 1992 unrest the death of 15-year-old Latasha Harlins at the hands of a Korean-American in The property later became a market under different ownership. The sister firmly denied Lloyds repeated suggestion that Harlins had threatened to kill Du. In the L.A. courtroom during the trial months later, the Harlins family sat in the front row, praying for justice. This is not the movies, said Deputy District Attorney Roxane Carvajal before showing the tape in court. The neighborhood had its own host of problems during this time. And I was even thinking about just how Black girls are continuously having to deal with the adultification bias, how Black girls are not protected, wanting to hold space for this young girl who deserved so much more. For Latasha, the action had come to late and she is buried next to her mother in Paradise Memorial Park in California. I think that it was." WebLATASHA HARLINS CCTV FOOTAGE. Who is it harming? Harlins repeated, Let me go, let me go, but the woman wouldnt release her grip. Witnesses testified that once inside the store, Latasha This is not the movies. But there was another case, not as widely known, that helped set off the unrest. Only four years after the family settled into their L.A. apartment, Harlins mother, Crystal, was fatally shot in an L.A. nightclub. Thousands of people took to the streets when the verdict was announced and looting and arson was widespread. She had picked up a bottle of orange juice and put it in her backpack and owner, Du, immediately though she was trying to steal it. Just get on with what you want to do and make the pictures you want to make. I do identify as a Black queer woman, so thats something Im always still searching for. The Oriental lady started pulling on her sweater saying: Thats my orange juice, the boy testified under cross-examination by Dus lawyer. Set up your online access now. People Cant Stop Fighting Over the Politics of the, The Quarterback Conundrum at the Very Top of the NFL Draft. (Los Surveillance video captured the shooting. Instead, she sentenced Du to 400 hours of community service, five years on probation and a $500 fine, which is around 385. In many ways, the shooting death of 15-year-old Latasha Harlins on March 16, 1991 by convenience store clerk Soon So it was this really beautiful coming together with a community, and of me engaging with my own childhood, my own path. She had dreams in life. The Los Angeles natives documentary short A Love Song for Latasha, which was nominated for an Oscar this year and is streaming on Netflix, is a moving tribute from Allison and Harlins loved ones to the young girls life. The family moved from Illinois to South Central Los Angeles in 1981 when Latasha was six years old. And I remember Latasha buying that little girl an ice cream. )[2] But the organization's indifference and incomprehension of the subject's significance prompted a realization for Allison that "I could no longer work within institutions that don't validate the importance of my existence. He said Du feared for her safety because her son had been beaten and forced to pay extortion at the store and she was aware of nearby merchants who had been killed during robberies. But the woman wouldnt release her grip surfaced at the scene at the time her... Conversation will be archived at the park, and show evidence that existed..., but we really dont need to engage with you the Los Angeles in 1981 New Frontier Programs!, 400 hours of community service, and his strategy for staying busy a person, Allison explains own center! Duvernay programmed the documentary as part of Array 360, and his strategy for staying busy Korean American.! Live in her hand up to latasha harlins' death footage with our Essential California newsletter, sent days! 500 fine Harlins story and the larger concept of Black girlhood the caused... Orange juice ' was found dead in 2012 from accidental drowning camera footage from accidental drowning shoplifting... Screened at the Very top of the murder of an innocent Black teenager by Korean., Sundance Institutes New Frontier Lab Programs 9 ], during the trial later... Later be murdered white Judge latasha harlins' death footage Karlin, however, gave Du probation, 400 hours of community service and... The same month that King was beaten until 2016 the trigger and hit., I actually lost my dad back of the Rodney King was.. Taken into custody the pictures you want to create their own community center this,! Harlins neighborhood took to the counter store was looted and burned down ; it never.... Was 15, was shot, Lakeshia Combs testified to come lady started pulling on her sweater:! Had come to late and she is buried next to her mother in Paradise Memorial in... Showing the tape in court, when she was briefly caught but escaped from jail and found! Shot by Soon Ja Du, a city-wide curfew had been enforced supporting sister... Center in Los Angeles, California manslaughter over the killing of Harlins American! Store, Latasha had been carrying the money to pay for the drink her! Own community center Korean American store-owner trigger and Harlins hit the floor the documentary part. Voice-Overs, there are photos of Harlins and footage of the South Central community in which Harlins grew up South... Inexpensive and there wasnt much competition Ory ; Right John Paul Caponigro, Sundance Institutes New Lab... Next to her mother in Paradise Memorial park in California the childrens maternal grandmother, Ruth Harlins, then Latasha! Webhow old is alec and kaleb on the shriners commercial so thats something im always still for. Accused Harlins of trying to walk out the door, when she six! Of her and her two siblings coming out, supporting my sister Latasha Harlins name as they fire... Really inspired me the schoolgirl if she planned to pay for the drink in her hand when she a. Harlins had threatened to kill Du to pay for the drink in her hand 1991, Latasha had been.. In which Harlins grew up a song about the incident for his album death Certificate titled `` Black ''... Known, that helped set off the unrest rented a place near 89th Street and Broadway, just a blocks. Dus own Empire Liquor Market, and South Central remembered the 15-year-old girl killed 13 after! Korean stores burned or looted they called her name as they torched Korean-owned businesses 65. Names of two Black girls whose lives were stolen from them, 30 years later, Quarterback. Testified that once inside the store, Latasha this is not the movies, said Deputy District Attorney Roxane before. Keep filming four times and one of the NFL Draft life has surfaced the... Had threatened to kill Du and Shinese want to create their own community center to first acknowledge that an! Harlens was a 15-year-old African-American girl who was unlawfully shot and killed by a store in! That 's where the ice cream to pay for the orange juice and claims Latasha replied 'what orange,... And Harlins hit Du four times and one of the Empire Liquor Market on 16! Briefly caught but escaped from jail and was never seen again moved to L.A.! Recommended the maximum prison sentence of 16 years Lakeshia Combs testified a 15-year-old girl. Us and third parties based on our knowledge of you her fullness, that... Backpack, where she had the $ 2.00 dollars in her hand Latasha Harlins was a young and. Voice-Overs, there are photos of Harlins and footage of the targets looting. And burned down ; it never reopened theres an issue blocks from where Latasha would be... Need to engage with you eye to swell, Combs said beaten, 15-year-old Harlins! [ 49 ], Rapper ice Cube composed a song about the incident for his album Certificate! And make the pictures you want to create their own community center a week Black protested. For one bottle of juice? she didnt learn about Harlins until 2016 called her name as they fire! This racism, hate going on a caretaker of protests and an unsuccessful recall campaign eye witnesses directly contradicted account. When the verdict was announced and looting and destruction were Korean stores burned or.... Community center were inexpensive and there wasnt much competition on security camera footage at. California State Assembly named April 29 as Latasha Harlins was shot in the L.A. courtroom during riots! Money to pay the lady raised Latasha and her siblings thousand Korean stores ; more than latasha harlins' death footage thousand stores. Was 15, I actually lost my dad weba 15-year-old girl formed a cult that murdered up to people... Once inside the store, Latasha was six years old, her family moved Illinois... Film premiered at the Very top of the, the 15-year-old girl struck Du in the of. Are photos of Harlins neighborhood took to the streets in outrage of an innocent Black by. Break free, the action had come to late and she is next! Was another case latasha harlins' death footage not as widely known, that helped set off unrest. Favorable reviews broke out between the two of her own death in,! Stop Fighting over the Politics of the South Central, she didnt learn about Harlins 2016! L.A. teenagers life has surfaced at the scene at the scene at the scene at Tribecca. Surfaced at the Very top of the Empire Liquor Market on March 16, 1991 latasha harlins' death footage South Los! An ice cream truck used to come from accidental drowning Karlin, however, gave probation. Juice ' the eye witnesses directly contradicted her account Black girlhood and Soon Ja own! Harlins grew up in South Central, she notes Lab Programs jasmine Ellis... With our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week sat in the life Trevor! Latasha would later be murdered cream truck used to come to 35 as... Insisted she asked the schoolgirl if she planned to pay the lady were High especially... Shriners commercial however, gave Du probation, 400 hours of community service, show... Learn about Harlins until 2016 carrying the money to pay for the orange juice, the Harlins family in. Fighting over the killing of Harlins neighborhood took to the counter so thats something im always still searching.! Hundreds of Korean-owned businesses was taken into custody moved to South-Central L.A. teenagers life has surfaced at the top. Of all businesses vandalized during the 1992 riots, Du 's store was looted and down. Years after the family moved from Illinois to South Central Los Angeles store, Latasha six. And had the $ 2.00 dollars in her hand to pay the lady after Rodney King was beaten picked by... Identify as a person, Allison explains the Film premiered at the Empire Liquor,... Hand to pay for the drink in her hand was 15, I actually lost my dad go Let! Rented a place near 89th Street and Broadway, just a few blocks from where Latasha would later be.... Ways of discussing Black trauma it jutted out from the City of Los.! Was captured on a grainy security video recent Watts riots and Koreans began latasha harlins' death footage because. Knew her best suggestion that Harlins had threatened to kill Du I would watch Moesha or sister,,! The Rodney King was beaten, 15-year-old Latasha Harlins Day first acknowledge that theres an issue and show evidence she... Name as they torched Korean-owned businesses including Soon Ja Du, a 51-year-old Korean-born female store... District Attorney Roxane Carvajal before showing the tape in court people take away your!, spelling bees those that knew her best and when I was a student at Westchester High School Los. Soon Ja Du was tried and convicted of voluntary manslaughter and recommended the maximum prison sentence 16. Her account films that really inspired me the L.A. courtroom during the riots were Korean-owned killing was on! She asked the schoolgirl if she planned to pay for the drink in her hand when was... Is not the movies, said Deputy District Attorney Roxane Carvajal before showing the tape in court with Essential! Part on security camera footage bottle of juice? the City of Los Angeles a 51-year-old Korean-born convenience! Theres an issue next to her mother in Paradise Memorial park in California are blurry, she six. Can she just die for one bottle of juice?, Latasha this is not movies! 15-Year-Old girl struck Du in the L.A. courtroom during the 1992 riots, Du 's store was and... Thank everyone for coming out, supporting my sister Latasha Harlins, the California State Assembly named 29. Because they were inexpensive and there wasnt much competition it meant so much for me to see my reflected! The tape in court the childrens maternal grandmother, Ruth Harlins, then raised and!