Victim of beating that sparked LA riots dies_美文

Victim of beating that sparked LA riots dies

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Rodney King, whose beating by police in 1992 sparked the Los Angeles race riots, was found dead in his swimming pool early on Sunday, authorities said. He was 47.

Rialto Police Captain Randy Deanda said King was found "unresponsive" at the bottom of his pool and was pronounced dead at a local medical center shortly afterward.

"Preliminarily, there do not appear to be any signs of foul play," Deanda added, noting that police were conducting a drowning investigation and that the coroner's office would perform an autopsy.

King became a symbol of racial tensions in America following his beating by baton-wielding LA police after a high-speed car chase was caught on camera.

He was severely beaten by four white police officers who struck him more than 50 times with their wooden batons and used a stun gun. He was left with 11 skull fractures, a broken eye socket and facial nerve damage.

Four officers involved went on trial for use of excessive force but were acquitted on April 29, 1992, triggering days of deadly rioting in Los Angeles that left more than 50 people dead and caused an estimated $1 billion in damage.

Speaking ahead of the 20th anniversary of the riots, King said racism still had to be challenged.

Asked about his feelings toward the police officers who beat him, he said: "I have forgiven (them), because America has forgiven me for so many things and given me so many chances. King had a number of brushes with the law since 1992.