A Los Angeles County Superior Court ruling has ordered the City of Los Angeles to release key records related to the Yong Yang case. The decision stems from a lawsuit filed by The Korea Daily seeking access to public records. As a result, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) must disclose body camera footage, in-car camera recordings, and 911 call transcripts from the day of the shooting.
Legal Fight Over Public Records
In May 2023, The Korea Daily requested the LAPD records under the Public Records Act (PRA). However, the department denied the request, leading the newspaper to sue the city on July 2.
The court ruled against the city’s argument that releasing the files would interfere with investigations. It found no substantial evidence to support that claim. Furthermore, the judge rejected the city’s attempt to delay disclosure due to an administrative review, noting that more than 180 days had passed since the incident.
What the Records Will Show
Under the ruling, the city must release:
- All body camera and in-car camera footage from 10:50 AM to 3:00 PM on May 2, 2024
- 911 call transcripts from around 11:00 AM, when the emergency call was placed
Previously, the LAPD had only shared a short clip of the shooting. Now, the full records will provide additional details about what happened before and after the encounter. These recordings could help clarify the police response and decision-making process.
The Korea Daily has requested the files by late April, and the court will set the final deadline.
Attorney: Records Could Answer Key Questions
Attorney Jung Chan-Yong, who represented The Korea Daily, said the records could clarify how officers handled the situation and whether they followed proper procedures.
“These recordings will show whether police discussed non-lethal options before entering,” Jung said. “They will also provide insight into how officers reacted in the moments before shots were fired.”
Additionally, conversations inside the patrol car before officers entered the apartment could be especially revealing. Jung noted that such discussions often include internal assessments and tactical plans, which may explain how police prepared for the encounter.
What Happened in the Yong Yang Case?
The fatal police shooting of Yong Yang occurred on May 2, 2023, near Koreatown, Los Angeles. Soo Tae Yoon, a Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) clinician, called the LAPD for assistance, citing concerns about Yang’s mental health.
When officers arrived, they opened the apartment door and saw Yang holding a kitchen knife. Within seconds, they fired three shots.
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office confirmed Yang was pronounced dead at 12:12 PM, just 15 minutes after being shot at 11:57 AM.
Yang’s parents, Min Yang and Myung Sook Yang, continue to push for legal action. They are calling on the Los Angeles County District Attorney to prosecute the officers involved in the shooting.
Related Articles:
- Case of Yong Yang, fatally shot by LAPD, heads to court with jury trial request
- Join LA City Council on Sept. 17 to demand justice for Yong Yang
- The Korea Daily files request for body cam records of police shooting Yong Yang
BY HYOUNGJAE KIM [kim.ian@koreadaily.com]
and HANKIL KANG [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]
