Rodney King Shot While Bicycling

Rodney King, whose videotaped beating by police officers in 1991 led to the LA riots, is recovering from minor wounds after being sprayed with birdshot while on his bicycle, the Los Angeles Times reports. King told police that two people demanded his bike at a street corner in San Bernardino, Calif., then shot at him when he rode away.

King probably was hit from a distance by birdshot fired from a shotgun, police said. No suspects have been identified. Since becoming an unwitting symbol of police brutality, King has had numerous problems, including several run-ins with the law. In 2003, he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence. He also did jail time and probation following a 1999 domestic dispute. (More LAPD stories.)