Fifteen Years Later

LOS ANGELES, April 29, 2007 — -- Fifteen years ago, Los Angeles -- and the entire nation -- watched in horror as rioters pulled Reginald Denny from his truck at the intersection of Florence and Normandie in south-central L.A. and beat him senseless in the street.

The beating happened just hours after four police officers accused of attacking black motorist Rodney King were acquitted in court, enraging many blacks who had long felt unfairly treated by the Los Angeles Police Department.

The mayhem at the intersection soon consumed much of the city -- 54 people would be killed and $1 billion in damages would be done before the riots were calmed five days later.

Watch Terry McCarthy's report on the violence tonight on "World News." Check local listings for air time.

Most of the footage shown on television was shot from helicopters hovering overhead -- the only professional photographer on the ground at Florence and Normandie was Bart Bartholomew, who was shooting for The New York Times. His pictures of police making arrests and then retreating from Florence and Normandie after being overwhelmed by angry residents made the front page of the Times.

Bartholomew was lucky to make it out alive. He was beaten and his car was attacked by the crowd. He managed to sit in the driver's seat and start the engine. As he drove away, a rock was hurled through the side window, hitting him on the side of the head and breaking his jaw.

Today, Bartholomew sees huge changes in the neighborhood -- what was once predominantly black has now become a majority Latino area -- and most importantly unemployment has gone down.

"They have built huge malls. They've created jobs. I mean a lot more people can live here more comfortably in peace and quiet," he said. As he walks the streets that 15 years ago were convulsed with racial anger and violence, though, Bartholomew cannot help feel a little shiver.

"I am always a little spooked -- I feel that the ghosts are all around here," he said.

Most residents said that they didn't think that Los Angeles would see similar riots again. The police say they are much better trained to deal with any outbreak of violence and would nip it in the bud.