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Mourning the Death of Ken Haramoto

The informal shrine in honor of the killing of Ken Haramoto San Francisco’s Japantown. Photo by Neela Banerjee.

By Ji Hyun Lim

Amidst the local businesses in Japantown’s Post Street lies a shrine that echoes the memory of a young man who has left behind his beloved mother and many friends. Dozens of flowers gently lie on top of each other, encircled by candles. Taped to a small cherry tree is a photograph of Ken Haramoto.

Ken Haramoto

“I hope his memory is not in vain,” said Joe, one of Ken Haramoto’s close friends, who requested anonymity due to the ongoing investigation.

Last Saturday marked the one-week anniversary of Haramoto’s murder. It seemed like a typical weekend night. Haramoto, 21, and friends were gathered in front of San Francisco’s Japantown Buchanan Mall after an evening of socializing in a number of the mall’s establishments. They stood outside of Denny’s restaurant, deciding where to go next. Haramoto’s friends — all APIs, Japanese, Chinese and Korean Americans — had been having their usual fun.

But, according to Inspector Holly Pera, there was no heavy partying. “Everyone had had a small amount of alcohol, but nobody had a large amount,” she said.

Suddenly, a young woman came downstairs from Sonic Karaoke and allegedly began a verbal argument with a young woman from Haramoto’s group. Witnesses said there was a shouting match between the two about something that happened several years ago. Haramoto’s friend had no idea what the aggressor was talking about and left the scene, according to Pera.

A half an hour later, however, the aggressor reportedly came back downstairs and confronted Haramoto’s friend again. Haramoto attempted to mollify the situation verbally when an unidentified assailant pulled out a gun and sprayed the group with bullets. Haramoto ran about 20 to 25 feet and then collapsed. Another 21-year-old young man was shot in the shoulder, but survived. The assailant fled by foot toward Post Street while the witnesses gathered around the victims.

The paramedics attempted to revive Haramoto through CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Inspector Pera said that police have no motive for the assault and no reason to believe the victim’s group was in a gang. The only information they have is that they believe the assailant is an 18- to 21-year-old Chinese or Vietnamese American.

While police continue their investigation, remorse and sadness envelop Haramoto’s friends and family. “Life is not that cheap,” said Joe. “Friends shouldn’t bury friends.”

The memories still linger. Jason Chan, a friend who was not there when Haramoto died, recalled the last time they went to the driving range with two other friends.

The four young men had occupied two isles as they took turns using the golf clubs that once belonged to Haramoto’s father. Haramoto outplayed his friends, driving the golf ball into the distant green field. No one expected him to know how to play so well, Chan said. Haramoto laughed and teased his friends, who weren’t hitting so well.

Then, Ken hit the ball against the barrier between the isles, and it shot out 200 yards. Everyone laughed, Chan said, while Ken comically pulled out a child-sized driver, attempting to hit the ball and amuse his friends.

Haramoto was known for his sense of humor. He was also known for his selfless deeds, from giving rides to friends to assisting his mother financially. He was someone who would make other people laugh. “That was enough to make him happy,” Joe said. “Everything he did, everything he said was of upmost sincerity.”

Haramoto attended Aragon High School in San Mateo, and later City College of San Francisco and San Mateo College. He also worked as a longshoreman to help his mother out financially. Haramoto’s father has been absent from the family.

Since his death, Haramoto’s mother has been getting support from the community. Friends have been donating money to her, Chan said. And Victim Witness Assistance Program is helping her with finances, counseling and any other necessary services, according to Pera.

Because Haramoto had so many friends and was generally well-liked, many don’t believe the shooting was intentional. “He knows a lot of people,” said Chan. “They consider him a good friend. He was good in a conversation. You kind of grow a bond to him. You would want to be his friend.

“He never really hung out at clubs or anything like that. He never really had that much money to go out that often. His friends would take him out and buy him drink because of his financial constraints.”

Added Joe: “Anyone who has lost a loved one should realize there are better ways to solve altercations. [Ken] lived life in a very sincere manner. I just want people to live like him.”