Fact Check: When did the riots in LA become violent

1. Summary of the results

There appears to be confusion between two separate events in Los Angeles:

The 1992 LA Riots:

Began precisely on April 29, 1992, immediately following the Rodney King verdict ^{[1] [2]}
Violence erupted almost immediately, with specific timeline:
4:15-4:20 PM: First looting incidents at a liquor store
By 6:00 PM: Widespread looting and civilian attacks ^[1]
Resulted in 54 deaths and $1 billion in damage ^[2]

Recent LA Protests:

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The 1992 riots were rooted in long-standing tensions around police brutality and racism within the LAPD ^[2]
Regarding the recent protests, there are conflicting narratives about who initiated the violence:
While some sources report protester violence, others argue that police tactics (rubber bullets, flash-bangs, tear gas) escalated the situation ^[4]
The scale of violence differs significantly: the 1992 riots resulted in over 2,300 injuries and extensive property damage, making them much more severe than recent events ^[5]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question itself is problematic as it doesn't specify which LA riots are being referenced
The term "became violent" suggests a clear transition point, when in reality:
For the 1992 riots, violence erupted almost immediately with clear documentation ^[1]
For recent protests, there's debate about whether police response or protester actions led to violence ^[4]
Different stakeholders benefit from different narratives:
Law enforcement benefits from narratives emphasizing protester violence
Protest organizers benefit from narratives highlighting police escalation
Media outlets benefit from dramatic portrayals of either narrative

Past Checks