Rodney King was released from jail after police failed to prove he had resisted arrest after a high speed chase . Police Chief Darryl Gates called the beating an " aberration " and the department issued no statements ; the LAPD , FBI and California Highway Patrol are investigating . The incident began when California Highway Patrol pursued King at high speed , called for help , then pulled him over . When King left the highway , the Highway patrolmen were ordered off the investigation , but observed King being shot by a stun gun , beaten with clubs and stomped on the head . They beat where it hurt. Many people in Los Angeles feel that non - anglos are the targets of police .
Rodney King was released from jail after police failed to prove he had resisted arrest after a high speed chase . Police Chief Darryl Gates called the beating an " aberration " and the department issued no statements ; the LAPD , FBI and California Highway Patrol are investigating . The incident began when California Highway Patrol pursued King at high speed , called for help , then pulled him over . When King left the highway , the Highway patrolmen were ordered off the investigation , but observed King being shot by a stun gun , beaten with clubs and stomped on the head . Many people in Los Angeles feel that non - anglos are the targets of police .