Thirty-three years ago today, on April 11, 1992 (March 9, 1992 in the lunar calendar), there was a race riot in Los Angeles. Los Angeles riots In April and May 1992, Los Angeles was rocked by the largest race riot in the United States in 25 years. The riot started when four white police officers who attacked a black man driving a car were acquitted by a court, despite the extensive videotape broadcast on television showing the black man being punched and kicked by police. During four days of violence, looting and arson, more than 50 people were killed, about 4,000 were injured, 12,000 were arrested and property damage exceeded $1 billion. 10,000 troops and National Guard troops were called in to restore order. Riots also occurred in other cities, but on a much smaller scale.