# Rodney King

> African American police brutality victim (1965–2012)

**Wikidata**: [Q338389](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q338389)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodney_King)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rodney-king

## Summary
Rodney King was an African American man who became a central figure in the 1992 Los Angeles riots after being caught on video being brutally beaten by Los Angeles police officers. His 1991 arrest and subsequent beating sparked widespread civil unrest and became a pivotal moment in discussions about police brutality and racial tensions in the United States.

## Biography
- Born: April 2, 1965
- Nationality: United States
- Education: educated_at: Q6249714 (institution not specified in source material)
- Known for: African American police brutality victim
- Employer(s): taxi driver
- Field(s): Not specified in source material

## Contributions
The source material indicates that Rodney King's primary contribution was being the victim of police brutality. He was involved in a high-speed chase on March 3, 1991, which resulted in his arrest and subsequent beating by LAPD officers. The incident was captured on video and became a national news story, leading to widespread protests and the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

## FAQs
**What was the incident that made Rodney King famous?**
Rodney King was caught on video being brutally beaten by Los Angeles police officers on March 3, 1991, after a high-speed chase. The incident sparked widespread civil unrest and became a pivotal moment in discussions about police brutality and racial tensions in the United States.

**What was Rodney King's occupation?**
According to the source material, Rodney King worked as a taxi driver.

**When did Rodney King die?**
Rodney King died on June 17, 2012.

**What was the outcome of the Rodney King case?**
The source material indicates that the incident led to widespread protests and the 1992 Los Angeles riots, though specific legal outcomes are not detailed in the provided information.

## Why They Matter
Rodney King's beating by police officers became a watershed moment in American history, fundamentally altering public discourse about police brutality and racial tensions. His case brought national attention to issues of police misconduct and racial profiling, leading to increased scrutiny of law enforcement practices and contributing to broader conversations about civil rights and social justice in the United States.

## Notable For
- African American victim of police brutality whose beating was captured on video
- Sparked the 1992 Los Angeles riots
- Became a symbol of racial tensions and police misconduct in the United States
- His case led to widespread protests and national attention to civil rights issues

## Body
### Early Life
Rodney Glen King was born on April 2, 1965, in the United States. The source material indicates he was of African American descent and grew up in a society where racial tensions were prevalent. He received his education at an institution identified by the Wikidata identifier Q6249714, though the specific institution is not named in the provided text.

### Career as Taxi Driver
Before his arrest, Rodney King worked as a taxi driver. This occupation is indicated by the related entities in the source material, suggesting he was employed in the transportation industry prior to his involvement with law enforcement.

### The 1991 Incident
On March 3, 1991, King was involved in a high-speed chase with Los Angeles police officers. The incident was captured on video by a civilian and became widely known as the "Rodney King beating." During the arrest, King was subjected to excessive force by the officers, who used batons and other equipment to subdue him despite his apparent compliance.

### Legal and Social Consequences
The video footage of the beating was broadcast nationally, sparking outrage and leading to widespread protests in Los Angeles. The subsequent trial of the police officers involved resulted in mixed verdicts, with some officers being acquitted and others convicted. The case became a focal point for discussions about racial bias in law enforcement and the use of excessive force.

### Death
Rodney King died on June 17, 2012. The cause of death is not specified in the source material, though it occurred approximately 21 years after the incident that made him famous.

### Legacy
King's case had lasting impacts on American society, contributing to increased public scrutiny of police practices and leading to broader conversations about racial justice and civil rights. The incident is frequently cited as a landmark moment in discussions about police brutality and the relationship between law enforcement and minority communities.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/king-rodney-1965/)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. BlackPast.org
4. general catalog of BnF
5. MusicBrainz
6. IMDb
7. SNAC
8. Find a Grave
9. BnF authorities
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. [Source](https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/timeline-rodney-king-beating-lapd-verdict-1992-la-riots/2880027/)
12. [Source](https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/18/us/rodney-king-whose-beating-led-to-la-riots-dead-at-47.html)
13. IdRef
14. BBC Things
15. The Movie Database