Hsiao Hsu,45
March 13, 2008 | 8:00
am
Hsiao Hsu, 45-year-old Chinese woman, was shot multiple times in an apparent home invasion in the 19700 block of East Cameron Avenue at about 11:40 a.m. Wednesday, March 19. Deputies with the L.A. County Sherrif's Walnut Station responded to a call of a burglary in progress. Upon entering the house, deputies discovered Hsu had been shot, authorities said. She was pronounced dead at the scene by L.A. County Fire Department paramedics. Authorities said witnesses saw one or more Latino men running westbound from the location. More in the Los Angeles Times story
Please do not take this the wrong way, but in the shooting death of the University of North Carolina Student Body President, none, and I mean none, of the news reports mentioned the race/ethnicity of the criminal. Why do we do this in LA Times reporting?
Posted by: steve johnson | March 21, 2008 at 09:03 AM
STEVE-
In NC, they didnt have a suspect initially. Then authorities received the ATM picture which WAS distributed everywhere. The picture cleary shows he was African-American, thereby allowing the various news sources to not have to mention it. I've noticed this is other stories and meduia outlets.
If the Chapel Hill Police Dept. didn't have a picture they would have used the description like the LA Times. I don't think it's just the LA Times, I think everybody does it.
My condolences to the family and friends of Mrs. Hue, this was a terrible crime.
Posted by: Daledo | March 21, 2008 at 04:06 PM
Steve, because the race of the deceased is a fact that should be reported.
The homicide blog has always reported it and the policy will not change.
If we dont know the racial identities of victim and suspect, how can we make informed decisions about who commits crimes and on whom?
Posted by: Mark | March 21, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Steve Johnson, Check the Frequently asked questions to the right.... Your answer is there.
Also...why not? Race may not be the most important fact when you read a story, but it is still a FACT and if available why not report it?
Posted by: AlwaysALady | March 22, 2008 at 02:04 AM
So sad that this Chinese lady had to die for working hard and being successful. The Latino men that committed this crime will be caught and be on death row very soon. Just another example of our broken border, and criminals coming in from Mexico.
Posted by: Bill | March 24, 2008 at 09:25 PM
Bill, did you mention that the suspects in this terrible tragedy were from Mexico?? Where they running down the street holding a Mexican flag, indicating their nationality? How can you assume such a fact without sounding racist? There are many Latino's that have made California their home and I can assure you that not all of us come from Mexico!
Posted by: TF | March 25, 2008 at 01:15 PM
They do it to be polically correct and not to offend
soem people .
Posted by: Nick Gilman | March 25, 2008 at 05:04 PM
What a horrible tragedy. My cousin lives in the immediate neighborhood. My condolences to the family of Ms. Hsu. Unfortunately this is also when certain individuals such as "Bill" below pose ignorant, stupid and racist comments. I am aways amazed how when someone is identified as Latino, someone immediately assumes they are Mexican and illegal...what a joke. This is about a tragedy not about your erroneous political views on immigrant status...Shame on you!!
Posted by: L.A. Native | March 26, 2008 at 04:20 PM
To not add ethinicity in a diverse culture is to leave a gap in reporting. Are we so afraid that it might not be politically correct that we would leave out race? Since when is stating someone's race prejiduce?
Posted by: Denise | April 28, 2008 at 01:31 PM