Police now say that no officers were present as Rodney King was shot with a machine gun and beaten about the head and body with clubs as he was hog - tied on the ground . Witnesses say he was jovial and intoxicated when he left his car . California Highway Patrol officers , who stopped the beating , were ordered off the case by county policemen , who continued the beating . Their reports downplayed his injuries ; four policemen have been indicted for false statements and beating a suspect . Highway Patrol officers present , upset , took policemen 's statements and reported the incident . King suffered facial and ankle fractures and other injuries .
Police now say that 21 officers were present as Rodney King was shot with a stun gun and beaten about the head and body with clubs as he lay hog-tied on the ground. Witnesses say he was jovial and intoxicated when he left his car. California Highway Patrol officers, who protested the beating, were ordered off the case by county policemen, who continued the beating. Their reports downplayed his injuries; four policemen have been indicted for false reports and beating a suspect. Highway Patrol officers present, upset, took policemen's names and reported the incident. King suffered facial and ankle fractures and other injuries.