1992 L.A. riots

The Los Angeles riots erupted on April 29, 1992, after a jury acquitted four police officers accused in the videotaped beating of black motorist Rodney King after he fled from police.

The acquittal led to widespread anger and chaos, which caused destruction and turmoil of historic proportions.

2017 marks the 25th anniversary of the riots.

Breaking a glass door

A rioter breaks a glass door of the Criminal Courts building in downtown Los Angeles.

Car overturned

A car lies overturned in a street as a merchant sweeps up in front of his shop.

Massive fire

A California Highway patrolman directs traffic around a shopping center engulfed in flames.

Tense moment

A woman yells at Los Angeles police officers who stand guard outside of a shopping center.

Protesting the verdict

A demonstrator protesting the verdict in the trial holds a placard aloft before a line of police as protesters gathered at the Parker Center, the headquarters of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Looting

Looters carry goods from a shopping center in Los Angeles.

Destroying a gate

Rioters destroy an iron gate from a store in downtown Los Angeles, hours after citywide rioting and looting broke out.

Line of police

A man passes in front of a line of police officers in Los Angeles.

On patrol

Police officers patrol the street where fires and looting occurred in south central Los Angeles.