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Conviction March 16, 1991 Homicide

Latasha Harlins

Status Conviction
Type Homicide
Date March 16, 1991
Location Los Angeles, California
Victim Age 15
Gender Female

Fifteen-year-old Latasha Harlins was shot and killed by Korean-American store owner Soon Ja Du in Los Angeles. Du was convicted of voluntary manslaughter but given probation and no jail time. The lenient sentence inflamed racial tensions and contributed to the 1992 LA riots.

homicide Los Angeles California racial tension LA Riots controversial sentence