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 . ; In "use of force" reports submitted by Sgt. 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 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 .