Rodney King, iconic figure in LA race riots, was 47

The man whose videotaped brutal beating by Los Angeles police sparked one of the bloodiest race riots in the nation’s history in 1992 died early today. He was 47. Rodney King’s fiancee found him at the bottom of the couple’s swimming pool at their home in Rialto, east of Los Angeles. An autopsy is planned. No foul play is suspected.

Above: the clip from King’s famous “can we all get along” remarks before a phalanx of reporters on the third day of the riots. Obit: LA Times