![]() “They don’t get to have any of that, because Justin took that life for no reason.” His parents would have been grandparents,” she said. The day before his death, Huang had taken a test to get his real estate license. to talk with a friend who was going through hard times. ![]() ![]() He was also a caring person who would sneak out of his house at 11 p.m. He was a goofy boy who was always laughing, the friend said. He liked to play basketball and worked at a Tapioca Express boba shop. Huang’s instant message handle was Asnquickie. The gang is defunct, with some members deported to Korea. Families and friends remember Huang, who was gunned down in a drive-by shooting, as a goofy yet kind-hearted soul.(The Huang family)Īt Arcadia High, he played violin in the orchestra and ran long-distance track, said a friend who asked that her name not be used because she fears retaliation from former Han Kook Boys. from Taiwan when he was about 8.Įric Sheng Huang at his Arcadia High graduation. Huang, who went by Sheng instead of Eric, came to the U.S. Maybe in a different life, Chung and Huang could have been friends. He is a full-time hair stylist and financially supports his mother, who still works in the fashion industry. But why not rely on a skill he had? Late last year, he graduated from a cosmetology program at Los Angeles Trade Technical College. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was let go with an ankle monitor and an order to report regularly to immigration authorities.Ĭhung was 30 and had never lived as an adult outside prison. citizens, Chung was sent to an immigration detention facility with a deportation order. The next governor, Gavin Newsom, denied parole for Chung, but a judge reversed the decision, ordering Chung’s immediate release in June 2020, after nearly 14 years behind bars.Īs is typical in murder cases involving non-U.S. Jerry Brown commuted his sentence to 15 years to life, citing his commitment to rehabilitating himself. He learned how to identify his triggers for violence and how to avoid them, he said. He sat through countless hours of Criminal Gangs Anonymous. A fellow gang member’s father told him, “him-nae,” or “hang in there.”Ī judge sentenced him to 82 years to life.Ĭo-defendant Ryoo was convicted of second-degree murder and other crime and sentenced to 15 years to life plus 50 years in state prison.Īt Pelican Bay State Prison, Chung became a barber, able to cut hair for Latino, Black and white prisoners amid entrenched racial rivalries, since Asian Americans were “neutral.” 17, 2007, a jury convicted him of first-degree murder with a street gang enhancement. Two detectives were waiting.Ĭhung was tried as an adult. Huang, Yao and the others in their car were not gang members, according to court documents.įour months later, during history class, a voice on the intercom summoned Chung to the front office. The driver, Calvin Yao, who was hit in the neck, chin and back, survived. 357 magnum and fired several times, according to court testimony.Įric Sheng Huang, 21, died from a gunshot wound to the head. They were my family,” he said recently.Īs another Han Kook Boy, Pyung Hwa Ryoo, pulled a white Toyota Camry alongside the other group’s black Honda Accord, Chung rolled down the window on the front passenger side, aimed a Smith & Wesson. If his fellow Han Kook Boys had a problem with them, so did he. 17, 2006, an older Han Kook Boy confronted five young men, thinking they were members of a Chinese gang, the Wah Ching.Ĭhung had gotten into fights with Wah Ching members before. As the maknae - youngest - Chung wanted to make a name for himself.Īt a party in Rowland Heights on Aug. The gang, whose name means Korean Boys, was small, about 15 members. Amid the pain and fear, he felt a sense of belonging for the first time. with his father, a fashion designer.Īs a high school student in Rancho Cucamonga, Chung was initiated into the Han Kook Boys, getting jumped and having his teeth knocked out. She eventually started a clothing business in downtown L.A. His mother worked at a Korean video store, then a hamburger store, he said. more for him than themselves, hoping he would get good grades and stay out of trouble.Ĭhung remembers feeling lost. Like many Korean immigrants, Chung’s parents came to the U.S. ![]() Justin Chung waits in line to get into a federal building in Los Angeles, where he checks in with immigration agents.(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
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