To the Point
Rodney King, Face of LA Riots, Dies at Age 47
In a Southern California story of national interest, Rodney King was found dead last night in his swimming pool at the age of 47. He was the unarmed, black victim of a savage beating by Los Angeles police officers more than 20 years ago.
By Warren Olney • • 1 min readIn a Southern California story of national interest, Rodney King was found dead last night in his swimming pool at the age of 47. He was the unarmed, black victim of a savage beating by Los Angeles police officers more than 20 years ago. When the officers were acquitted by a suburban jury, in 1992, the city experienced America's worst rioting of the 20th Century. Today, Charlie Beck, current chief of the LAPD, said that King brought "immensely positive change to the city." Pending further examination, officials say there's no evidence of foul play in the death of Rodney King. He appears to have drowned accidentally.
Photo: Rodney King (R) as he arrives at EsoWon bookstore in Los Angeles to sign copies of his new book. Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
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Warren Olney
former KCRW broadcaster
Frances Anderton
architecture critic and author
Christian Bordal
Managing Producer, Greater LA
Lata Pandya
Assistant Producer, To the Point/Which Way, LA?
Connie Rice
Los Angeles civil rights attorney, former member of President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing
Fernando Guerra
professor of political science at Loyola Marymount University and director of its Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles
The full episode
3 of 4Muslim Brotherhood Wins Egypt Election; Military Consolidates Power- 0:00Greek Elections and the Impact on the Euro
- 7:37The Arab Spring Turns to Winter in Egypt
- 23:45Rodney King, Face of LA Riots, Dies at Age 47You’re reading this
- 36:57Romney Reacts to Obama's Immigration Order