A suspect , Rodney Williams , was stopped in Los Angeles after speeding on a freeway and then running several red lights . Witnesses said he only left his car after several requests , then was restrained as he attempted to rise from the ground where officers had placed him . The officers then reportedly beat him with night sticks as they held him down . ; Los Angeles Traffic Detective Richard Talkington told the Los Angeles Times that written police reports from officers involved said King ignored several requests to leave the car after he was stopped.; King finally lay down on the ground, prone, at the officers' orders, he said. The incident was witnessed by three bystanders . A nearby local resident videotaped the entire incident and the tape was broadcast by local and national media , stirring public outrage . Los Angeles County and the FBI have opened investigations into the matter .
A suspect , Rodney Williams , was stopped in Los Angeles after speeding on a freeway and then running several red lights . Witnesses said he only left his car after several requests , then was restrained as he attempted to rise from the ground where officers had placed him . The officers then reportedly beat him with night sticks as they held him down . The incident was witnessed by three bystanders . A nearby local resident videotaped the entire incident and the tape was broadcast by local and national media , stirring public outrage . Los Angeles County and the FBI have opened investigations into the matter .