By Dhanika Pineda
19-year-old Joon Hee Han died after being admitted to a hospital for complications following a head injury he sustained during an alleged attack in the Koreatown, Los Angeles area.
Han’s death is being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Bureau Homicide unit, LAPD confirmed to AsAmNews.
According to the LAPD, family members reported that the fall was the result of an attack on Han in the 700 block of South Harvard Boulevard in the Olympic Area on July 18. Han, who was Korean American, was reportedly fine following the attack, until he collapsed on July 23.
Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Margaret Stewart confirmed to AsAmNews that the LAFD responded to a medical call at approximately 1:55am on July 23 for a 19 year old male. She confirmed that he was then transported to a hospital. According to LAPD, Han was admitted to a hospital in the Whittier area.
On August 12, Chris Han, Joon He Han’s father, posted an update to the webpage for a GoFundMe for medical bills and mourning expenses organized by Edric Oh on behalf of Han’s family.
“I made a reservation for Joonhee’s funeral today,” he wrote in the post. “We are preparing the funeral with the help of those who loved Junhee and those who did not know him but mourn his death.”
Han’s cause of death has been deferred, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office. Though an initial exam has been completed, the medical examiner is requesting additional studies before determining the cause of death, and the case remains open due to the ongoing investigation with the police department.
“As more information becomes available and the sequence of events that led to Joon Hee Han’s death becomes clear, we will provide additional information,” LAPD said in a press release. “Until then, we must refrain from additional comment on this tragic occurrence until the facts are clear.”
No information or description of a suspect has been released.
West Bureau Homicide encouraged anyone with information on this case to contact them at 213-382-9470.
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