In the wake of rising violent crime in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles, a tragic incident recently occurred in broad daylight when a 19-year-old Korean-American youth was suddenly and fatally attacked by a Black man in what is being described as a random assault. The young man succumbed to his injuries after five days in a coma.
The victim, Joonhee Han passed away after following through on his lifelong wish to donate his organs, providing the gift of life to others before departing this world. His family is now urgently seeking eyewitness accounts to aid in the capture of the suspect.
According to local media reports, his father, Chris Han, explained that the incident took place on July 18 at approximately 4:30 p.m. Joonhee Han was walking near the intersection of 7th Street and Serrano Avenue in Koreatown when he was attacked by an African-American man.
The encounter began with a brief eye contact as the suspect passed Han on an electric scooter. However, moments later, the suspect returned and violently pushed Han from behind.
Wearing earphones at the time, Han was unaware of the suspect’s approach and was thrown to the ground, hitting his face and head. The attacker then proceeded to punch Han while he lay on the pavement. According to his father, although Han was physically fit and regularly exercised, he chose not to fight back, fearing that the suspect might be armed.
In the days following the attack, Joonhee Han showed no immediate signs of severe injury. However, on July 23, at around 2 a.m., while with friends, he suddenly collapsed, turning pale and experiencing vomiting and vision loss in one eye. His breathing became unstable shortly thereafter.
A friend studying nursing attempted CPR and called 911. Han was rushed to the hospital, where he was placed on a ventilator and underwent various tests. Although he initially showed signs of improvement the next morning, his condition rapidly deteriorated by 2 p.m., leading to emergency surgery. Sadly, Han did not recover and was declared brain dead on July 25.
According to media reports, despite the grim prognosis, Han’s mother could not bear to let him go. After five days of opposing the removal of life support, she finally agreed, persuaded by Chris Han. Joonhee Han, who had expressed his wish to donate his organs, was taken off life support on August 1 and donated his organs, saving multiple lives.
The coroner’s office, after conducting an autopsy following the organ donation surgery, determined that Han’s death was due to brain damage caused by a blood clot resulting from the assault, rather than a naturally occurring stroke. The case has since been referred to the District Attorney’s office.
Chris Han stated that investigators informed him they were reviewing CCTV footage from around the crime scene but lacked substantial evidence, making eyewitness testimony crucial. He pleaded for the Korean community to come forward with any information that could lead to the suspect’s arrest.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is treating the case as a homicide, focusing on the possibility that Han’s symptoms were a direct result of the unprovoked attack.
Callie Veil, a spokesperson for the coroner’s office, confirmed that the autopsy was conducted as part of the ongoing LAPD homicide investigation.
However, due to the ongoing investigation, the coroner’s office has not disclosed the exact cause of death.
The Korea Daily has confirmed that the LAPD West Bureau’s Homicide Division is handling the case. An LAPD representative stated that the investigation is ongoing and that a public appeal for information will be made soon.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) reported that Joonhee Han collapsed on the sidewalk near 8th Street and Mariposa Avenue at approximately 1:55 a.m. on July 23. Margaret Stewart, a spokesperson for the LAFD, stated that paramedics responded to the scene and transported Han to a nearby hospital. He was later transferred to a hospital in the Whittier area for emergency surgery.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM, YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
