Rodney King Shot, Suffers Minor Injuries

By Anastacia Mott Austin

Rodney King is in the news again. On 11:40 Wednesday night, King called Rialto, California police to report that he had been shot several times and injured by shotgun pellets on his face, arms, and back.

He was not seriously injured, and was able to bicycle a mile and a half back to his home before calling the police.

The shooting apparently took place at an intersection in San Bernadino.

King., now 42, was taken to the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and treated for his injuries.

Rodney King is known best for the incident nearly 16 years ago that incited a four-day riot in Los Angeles, in which King, who is black, was stopped by police for speeding and then viciously beaten by four white police officers.

The beating was videotaped, and the four officers were acquitted of all charges in May of 1992. The acquittal ignited long-simmering racial tensions between the poor black communities of South Central Los Angeles and the LAPD. Massive rioting broke out in the area for four days, ultimately causing 55 deaths and over $1 billion in damages.

During the height of the 1992 riots, King appeared on television pleading for the anger to subside, saying, "People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along?"

King was later awarded $3.8 million in damages in a civil court, and two of the officers involved were sentenced to prison.