Yong Yang (40), a Korean-American man who died in a police shooting, was shot multiple times by the police.
Currently, there are conflicting statements from the bereaved family and the police, and the family has strong doubts about the procedures and methods of the police response to the scene.
The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner listed the cause of death as “multiple gunshot wounds” and the manner of death as “homicide” for Yang, who was shot and killed by police on May 2.
The case has now been transferred to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. On May 6, the District Attorney’s office told the Korea Daily that they are aware of the incident and will investigate to determine if the officer on the scene acted lawfully in accordance with protocol.
On May 3, the LAPD released a statement explaining the incident. According to the statement, “The officers met with DMH personnel outside the residence who indicated that the DMH were called to the scene due to Yang’s erratic and threatening behavior.” LAPD further noted, “The officers were also advised that Yang did not live at the location, and had attempted to assault one of the DMH employees when they attempted to speak with him.”
It was also mentioned, “Based on their assessment, DMH determined Yang was a danger to others.” As the officers approached the residence, the statement detailed, “As they did so, Yang was observed standing in the living room several feet away, armed with a large kitchen knife. Moments later, Yang advanced toward the officers and an Officer Involved Shooting occurred.”
Min Yang, Yang’s father, countered the LAPD’s response by saying, “It’s ironic that my son was reportedly trying to assault DMH staff when DMH staff stood behind my back and wouldn’t even let me into the house.”
Min Yang also argued that even if there was a dangerous situation, the police were there to help DMH transport a mentally ill patient to a hospital. “Pointing a gun at my son was not an appropriate response, given the prior conversations I and DMH staff had about the patient’s condition.”
“It took only two and a half minutes from the time the police went up the stairs until the shots were fired,” Yang said. “This is not a response that is prepared,” he added, “Who would call the police to help take their ill child to the hospital if things would turn out this way?”
“In an OIS [officer involved shooting] case, it’s all about proving the ‘immediate danger’ that the officer felt enough to open fire,” said an attorney who specializes in government litigation. “Authorities have to prove that the attack was so threatening that the officer didn’t have time to use an emergency weapon like a taser. The release of the body cameras will be crucial.”
Meanwhile, the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles, in partnership with other Korean-American organizations, sent a letter to L.A. city officials on May 6 to demand a thorough investigation, the release of the body cameras, and a briefing to the Korean-American community.
“None of the details (of what happened) are sufficiently clear to lead to the victim’s death,” said representatives from KAFLA. KAFLA also said, “We have sent a letter to L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, LAPD Interim Chief Dominic Choi, L.A. County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell (2nd District), and L.A. City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez (13th District) to express the Korean American community’s grave concerns and to demand a swift investigation.”
BY SUAH JANG, JUNHAN PARK [jang.suah@koreadaily.com]
