Prof Stevenson says: Even now, people will say the Rodney King Riots but then when we talk along with them, theyll admit Latasha Harlins, of course. The Netflix documentary, which also features Latashas friend Tybie OBard, aims to tell her story and reveal the impact one brief but brilliant life can have. After the initial shots were fired, the news team fled the scene and dropped the camera. The video showed the 15-year-old girl first struggling with Soon Ja Du, the owner of Empire Liquor Market and Deli on South Figueroa Street, then walking away, and finally falling down, having. "It's getting progressively worse," said David Bryant, Latasha Harlins' uncle. She lunged at Latasha and grabbed her backpack. "But this is an opportunity to talk about women and also how women are complicit in this system of legal injustice. She wasnt seen as a child and a vulnerable victim.. At the same time, Reynaldo and a third man in the car, Jesus Zambrano, joined in the attack. Thank you! Baldemar grabbed the officers gun and fired one shot into his neck, which killed Lunsford instantly. The interview was conducted at the cemetery where the girl was buried. He later witnessed the suspects fleeing the murder at a high speed and returned to find Lunsfords body in a ditch. In the video, Brannan can be seen rushing toward Dinkheller while firing his rifle. Nuez blamed the event on his ex-wife Maritza Martin and her current husband, who he said drove the young girl to suicide. Soon reached under the counter, grabbed a revolver and fired a shot at the back of Harlins head. After a brief conversation, Baldemar Villarreal can be seen attacking Officer Lunsford by grabbing his legs. Dinkheller was able to survive the first attack, but was shot multiple times. Riots: 15 Years After Rodney King. Voltaire, The origins of the magical saying Hocus Pocus, The True Story of the Sale of the Island of Manhattan. Latasha was treated as a violent, black adolescent. Welch immediately watched the dashboard cam video, which helped police identify the three suspects and arrest them. In many ways, the A new Netflix documentary honouring her life is released on Monday. Her name was Latasha Harlins. Latasha Harlins was only 15 when she was shot dead by a Korean shop owner, just two weeks after Kings beating. Empire liquor was located in South Central Los Angeles, California. Get extended access to 1600+ episodes, binge watch your favorite shows, and stream anytime - online (Please click to watch on YouTube when prompted. In the aftermath of the murder, Emilio Nuez blamed Telemundo for the crime. On March 16, 1991, a 15-year-old girl named Latasha Harlins was shot and killed at Empire Liquor in South Central, Los Angeles. That still bothers me to this day.. The event was captured on video by multiple witnesses and the clip has since been featured by news outlets. The offense carries a maximum prison sentence of 16 years. It was like they were celebrating her for killing Latasha. The dog was also shot and collapsed to the ground before reaching the suspect. During the civil rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s, the city of Greensboro, North Carolina, saw numerous protests from people who were fed up with the unfair treatment of black Americans in the workplace. This is before the riots. Just minutes before the murder, a fellow officer named Don Welch had passed by the scene, but didnt notice anything out of the ordinary. Article continues below advertisement The following year, recording artist Tupac Shakur released a song called Keep Ya Head Up that was dedicated to the memory of Latasha Harlins. Javid can be heard saying I didnt want to kill her., During the attack, Neda Agha-Soltan was shot once in the chest and fell to the ground. In some cases, the footage has been featured on television documentaries and news broadcasts. In the aftermath of the crimes, Baldemar Villarreal was given a life sentence, while the other two men received 30 and 40 years. 801 Likes, 62 Comments. Soon Ja Du now lives in the San Fernando Valley. Latashas story was the foundation for Say Her Name, and her death became the roots of the movement. It was a verdict that led to city-wide rioting and the deaths of 63 people in 1992. It is also the jury, judge and the prosecutor. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time and was an important force behind the expansion of groove metal. The video of the shooting has since been featured on many television documentaries, including Bowling for Columbine. In this case, the white Jewish judge decided that Latasha was the criminal, not the victim. The shooting and light punishment further inflamed tensions between the Asian-American and African-American communities, and some analysts have said it was one of the contributing factors to the 1992 riots. Budding writer and YouTuber. Public gatherings in support of Neda were forbidden and people were prevented from supporting her cause. Thats when it went through my head to do something, though I didnt know what. The most informative, researched, and entertaining true crime stories on the internet. Karlin also concluded that Soons capacity to act rationally was undermined by her experience with past robberies. It was 25 years ago that a 15-year-old girl lost her life over a bottle of orange juice. Jamal al-Durrah was injured in the attack, but survived. We are still seeing police brutality and police killings every day.. The footage continues to spark debate around the world. Man always does." The shooting was captured on camera and shows Gale killing the guitarist. convenience store clerk Soon Ja Du, a Korean immigrant, laid the foundation of anger and resentment that would eventually explode after the King verdict. In 1991, Soon Ja Du, a Korean store owner, received a light sentence in the shooting death of Latasha Harlins, a 15-year-old African-American. She then took two dollars out of her pocket and walked up to the counter in order to pay for the drink. Proudly created with Wix.com. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. These tensions, this case and the Rodney King verdict are the catalyst that led to the 1992 L.A. riots. When all was said and done, Soon Ja Du was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter, but the judge in the case ordered a sentence of only five years probation, 400 hours of community service, and a $500 fine. The event occurred at the start of the Second Intifada, a prolonged conflict between Palestine and Israel. entered the the Empire Liquor Market, which was owned by Du's family. Du was tried and. Du didn't see the LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A somber anniversary was marked Tuesday for family, friends, and an entire community still heartbroken over the wrongful shooting of a young, Black girl. Cruz can be heard saying Oh my God, he killed her, I dont believe it. The woman who killed her was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, and sentenced to just five years probation. Your report has been successfully submitted. Tupac referenced Latasha in a large number of his songs. 2019 TIME USA, LLC. The killing of Harlins on March 16, 1991, at the hands of a South Los Angeles grocer pushed an already racially-teetering Los Angeles to the brink of civil unrest. Most recently, it has been associated with Breonna Taylor, 26, who was shot eight times by police in March. Jamal and Muhammad attempted to hunker down behind a concrete cylinder, but became targeted by a shooter. In the days leading up to the rally, members of the KKK were tipped off to the location of the event and decided to attend the demonstration. At the airport, Plauche pretended to use a pay phone and waited for Doucet to walk by. He killed her. Emilio Nuez responded with the quote I should have done it a long time ago. He then drove off in his car and was later arrested by the police. We have to ask ourselves, has race relations changed in America at all? Surveillance video captured the shooting. What happens next differs depending on who is telling the story. Harlins' death came 13 days after the videotaped beating of Rodney King. Full Schedule. Neda quickly became a symbol for the 2009 anti-government movement in Iran. The life of Dimebag Darrell was celebrated at the Arlington Convention Center and the event was attended by thousands of heartbroken fans. Absolutely. This is the story of the first "viral" video of police brutality against a Black man. The 25-year-old was tasered, kicked and battered with batons more than 50 times after being arrested for drunk-driving in Los Angeles in March 1991. NO JUSTICE NO PEACE: THE STORY OF LATASHA HARLINS, VIDEO #1: Latasha Harlins Shooting When the police broke downthe door, Breonnas Boyfriend fired at them not knowing who they were. Latasha Harlins, 15, was shot in a 1991 confrontation with a store owner that inflamed racial tensions in South Los Angeles. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. Thirty years ago, the 15-year-old Black girl from South Central walked into Empire Liquor Market and Deli, grabbed a $1.79 bottle of orange juice and put it in her backpack. "And the case shows that its not just the police who are part of the damaged criminal justice system. Filmed by a bystander, George Holliday, the savage beating of Rodney King led to the 1992 L.A. riots. But it was a lesser-known case of injustice that became a flashpoint for the uprising and that story is inspiring the Black Lives Matter movement today. It really hit hard especially after yesterday's ruling with Breonna Taylor. Karlin would retire from the bench in 1997. And a Netflix documentary, "A Love Song for Latasha" that looks at the life of the young girl, was just nominated for an Academy Award. Women are, as usual, whats left over. You've just tried to add this show to My List. A Korean-born merchant,. Despite her money being present, Soon Ja Du was convinced that Harlins was trying to steal the beverage. Denise, who died in 2018, once said: All these people came to the surface but nothing was ever done. Almost 30 years after this tragedy, and African Americans are still suffering violent deaths at the hands of law enforcement and other races in the U.S.A. Aubrey was going for a jog when he was stopped, harassed and ultimately killed by two regular civilians who Mistook Ahmaud for a burglar. The store was owned and operated by a Korean woman named Soon Ja Du and her family. Karlin also concluded that it is unlikely Soon would ever commit a serious crime again. Beverly White reports for the NBC4 News at 11 on Wednesday, March 16, 2016. Latasha 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. 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.. shooting death of 15-year-old Latasha Harlins on March 16, 1991 by Both were falsely accused of being thieves and lost their lives because of these false believes. For those on the side of Mrs. Du, Latasha was stealing orange juice and beating Mrs. Du with a chair; for those on the side of Harlins, Du shot her in the back over a carton of orange juice which Latasha had no intention of stealing. Police later said she had money and intended to pay for the juice, but the store owner accused her of stealing and a confrontation ensued. The fatal bullet was fired directly after Brannan can be seen reaching toward his stomach in response to being shot by Dinkheller. A somber anniversary was marked Tuesday for family, friends, and an entire community still heartbroken over the wrongful shooting of a young, Black girl. The statements from the eyewitnesses and the store video camera contradict this claim. But first, we need you to sign in to PBS using one of the services below. Video tape footage inside the store showed Soon grabbing Harlins by her sweater and snatching her backpack. She also believes that her killing was largely overlooked because she was female. Report a Problem | Soon Fa Du. As he was shooting Darrell, bodyguard Jeff Mayhem Thompson and employee Erin Halk rushed the stage and grabbed Gale. Jeff Doucet would later die at the hospital. The videos are always shocking and give people a true sense of how dangerous guns are. She could have faced a sentence of up to 16 years in state prison, but instead the trial judge sentenced her to probation, community service and a fine. All rights reserved. Harlins then struck Soon with her fist twice, the blows knocked Soon to the floor. The victim in the case, Jody Plauche, has become a public speaker and travels the United States in order to teach people about the dangers of sexual violence. On the afternoon of March 16, 1991, the 15-year-old Harlins Whats the difference between Latasha and Ahmauds deaths? Closed Captioning. But first, we need you to sign in to PBS using one of the services below. After the car was pulled over, the officer asked the driver, Reynaldo Villarreal, to show him his license. The store was owned and operated by a Korean woman named Soon Ja Du and her family. The facts are contested by both communities. By creating an account, you acknowledge that PBS may share your information with our member stations and our respective service providers, and that you have read and understand the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. After the police arrived at the scene, a large collection of people on both sides were arrested. People were also upset with housing laws, healthcare, and the government representation of African Americans. 3 Kansas City officers shot while executing search warrant, chief says, At least 36 dead, 66 injured after trains collide in Greece: officials, Video shows group of sharks in feeding frenzy off Louisiana coast. A new Netflix documentary honouring her . In the summer of 1979, a collection of protesters from the Communist Workers Party (CWP) began to disrupt events held by the Ku Klux Klan, which caused tension between the two groups. Remembering Dus sentence, which was met with applause by more than 150 Korean-Americans in the courtroom, Denise once said: It was like a knife going through my heart. The leader of the CWP was a man named Paul Bermanzohn and he was quoted saying that the KKK is one of the most treacherous scum elements produced by the dying system of capitalism. Bermanzohn challenged the clan to attend a rally that was going to be held in Greensboro on November 3, 1979. It contains extreme graphic images of violence. The video remains one of the most graphic taken during a public shooting. and started to leave, only to be shot in the back of the head by Du. The situation quickly escalated and members of the KKK retrieved a large stash of weapons from the trunk of a Ford Fairlane and attacked the protesters. Latasha 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. The event occurred after Lunsford pulled over three men that were attempting to smuggle 31 lbs of marijuana from Texas to Chicago. On the day in question, Neda was traveling with her music teacher in Tehran when she was shot by a Basij militia member that was positioned on a rooftop. benefit. The short documentary film A Love Song for Latasha (2019) gives some biographical background on the life of Latasha Harlins, drawing on memories from her cousin and her best friend. Since the killing, Deandre Brunston has become a symbol against police brutality. Since the creation of video, thousands of people have been murdered on camera. Her documentary short A Love Song for Latasha (2019) was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject).It debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival and screened at the Sundance Film Festival in 2020. Something went wrong, please try again later. The news reached the 38-year-old father of Jody, Gary Plauche, who had previously stated that he would kill anyone who harmed his son. The Empire market was burned down during the riots and never rebuilt. But they gathered on the 30-year anniversary of the killing of Latasha Harlins, not to focus on her death, but celebrate her life - and the naming of the Sutton Recreation Center playground in her honor. In the wake of his death, it was reported that he was killed by a gunshot to the abdomen and experienced multiple gunshot wounds. Subscribe to the Great Performances newsletter to keep up with the latest full episodes to stream, exclusive content, and more! Allison directed and co-wrote the 2021 HBO Max special Eyes on the Prize: Hallowed Ground. Official Trailer For Netflix Original 'a Love Song For Latasha', Latasha Harlins was only 15 when she was shot dead by a Korean shop owner, A mother and child amid the mayhem of the Los Angeles Riots in 1992, A scene from the Netflix documentary, A Song for Latasha, Rodney King who was savagely beaten by Los Angeles Police officers in 1991, The Rodney King attack was captured on video, Reverend Jesse Jackson talking to press during the L.A riots, A National Guard soldier on Crenshaw Ave in South Central Los Angeles during the L.A riots, President George Bush addresses the nation two days after the announcement of the "not guilty" verdict in Rodney King case. Why, Gary? He responded if it was your child, you would have done the same thing., At the trial of Gary Plauche, he was charged with manslaughter and given a sentence of five years probation with 300 hours of community service, and didnt serve any jail time. EN. The jury found Soon guilty of voluntary manslaughter. "This is something that's long overdue and I think could be somewhat of a healing to the community," Harlins' uncle, David Bryant, added. Thank you for helping us improve PBS Video. Earlier this year, a mural dedicated to Latasha Harlins was revealed at the Sutton Recreation Center in South LA, on what would have been her 45th birthday. The protest was named death to the clan and was meant to bring attention to the crimes of the organization. Pay for the drink find Lunsfords body in a 1991 confrontation with a store that... Fired, the footage continues to spark debate around the world and a! Grabbed Gale for Say her Name, and more the offense carries a prison! 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