Happy 50th Heavenly Belated Birthday to the Unforgotten Latasha Harlins! Latasha Harlins, born on January 1, 1976, in East St. Louis, IL, was a 15-year-old Black girl whose tragic death in Los Angeles became a pivotal moment in racial justice discussions. A bright and caring high school student in South Central Los Angeles, she had a promising future ahead of her. On March 16, 1991, Latasha bought orange juice at Empire Liquor Market in South Central LA. Store owner Soon Ja Du falsely accused her of stealing, leading to a physical confrontation. As she turned to leave with money, Du shot her in the back of the head, killing her instantly. Security footage captured the entire incident. Soon Ja Du was convicted of voluntary manslaughter but received only probation, community service, and a $500 fine, no jail time. Coming just 2 weeks after the Rodney King verdict, the sentence intensified tensions in Los Angeles and helped spark the 1992 uprising. Latasha Harlins’ death exposed deep racial inequities and strained relations between Black American and Korean American communities. Latasha’s story remains a powerful symbol in discussions about criminal justice reform and continues to be remembered through documentaries, including the 2020 Oscar-nominated short film “A Love Song for Latasha,” which celebrates her life rather than focusing solely on her death.#LatashaHarlins
A judge scolded a Rochester Hills doctor who pleaded no contest to 31 charges related to preying on women and children, calling him a “predator” and a “narcissist.”
The judge sentenced him to 35-60 years in prison. @wxyzdetroit