Killing of Latasha Harlins

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.