Share
1 of 14
Firefighters spray water on a burning building in south Los Angeles on April 30, 1992, a day after rioting broke out over the acquittal of four white police officers charged with assault and the use of excessive force on Rodney King. AFP/Getty Images
A frame from the video made by George Holliday from his balcony shows Los Angeles police officers beating King after he was stopped for a traffic violation on March 3, 1991. The video shows King being struck by police batons more than 50 times. More than 20 officers were present at the scene, most from the LAPD. King suffered 11 fractures and other injuries in the beating. Image Works/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
Officers Theodore J. Briseno, second from left, is escorted out of the courthouse on April 29, 1992 after being acquitted of all charges. Laurence M. Powell, right, was acquitted of all but one charge. Hours after the officers' acquittal, rioting and looting broke out in South Central Los Angeles. AFP/Getty Images
A news helicopter captures video of the beating of Reginald Denny, a white truck driver, after he was pulled from his vehicle. Gov. Pete Wilson declares a state of emergency and calls in National Guard troops. Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
A rioter breaks a glass door of the Criminal Courts building in downtown Los Angeles on April 29. AFP/Getty Images
A California Highway Patrol officer directs traffic around a shopping center engulfed in flames on April 30. AFP/Getty Images
Rodney King pleads for rioters to end the violence during a news conference in front of his lawyer's office on May 1 saying, "People, I just want to say, can we all get along? Can we get along? Can we stop making it horrible for the older people and the kids?" Liaison/Getty Images
More than 9,800 National Guard troops were called in to end the violence, which left 55 people dead and more than 2,000 injured. AFP/Getty Images
Looters target a shopping center in Los Angeles on April 30. AFP/Getty Images
A woman runs out of a store that has been heavily looted as the overhead sprinkler system is triggered on May 1. More than 700 retail stores were damaged during the riots. The Washington Post/Getty Images
People line the sidewalk across from a burned out apartment building that was destroyed in the violence. More than 1,100 buildings were destroyed or damaged during the riots. AFP/Getty Images
Patrick Simpson of Los Angeles points to the federal building in anger after two of the four officers were sentenced to 30 months in prison for violating King's civil rights. AFP/Getty Images
In his book, "The Riot Within: My Journey From Rebellion to Redemption," King writes about his experience during the riots and in the media spotlight. Getty Images
King gestures to supporters at an event in Los Angeles in April 2012. He was found dead on June 17 that same year, at the age of 47. His death was the result of accidental drowning, although alcohol, cocaine, marijuana and PCP found in his system were contributing factors, authorities said. AFP/Getty Images
