On Sunday, four teens were brought into custody at the New York Police Department regarding the gang rape of an 18-year-old girl. The attack occurred on Thursday night at Brownsville Park in Brooklyn. The victim was held at gunpoint and the father was ordered to leave the scene. Police are still on the lookout for a suspected fifth participant in the attack. Charges against the supspects are pending until further investigation.
Police revealed proof of surveillance video on Saturday. "Two teenagers, ages 14 and 15, were turned into police custody by their parents; the two others, ages 15 and 17, were apprehended by the authorities," the police said, according to The New York Times.
The girl was reportedly on the playground, accompanied by her father, some time after 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, according to CBS New York. Five men then approached both the girl and her father, threatening to shoot the father and ordering him to leave. After the father left the scene the men each took turns violating and raping the girl.
The father ran to a nearby store asking for help but was directed to leave the premises, the store employee claiming he appeared "drunk or incoherent," according to CNN. The father returned with two police officers, but the men had already fled.
The victim told WABC that she screamed for help, to no avail, according to CNN. The teenage girl was then taken to a nearby hospital. "She suffered cuts to her arms, neck and knees during the assault," said police spokes woman Arlene Muniz, according to CNN.
Brooklyn residents reply with unsettlement due to this brutal event. "I am disgusted and deeply saddened by the horrific attack," said New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, according to The Washington Post.
Some neighbours believed to be upset at the length of time before the police notified residents. "Why are we just hearing about this yesterday?" said mother of three, Kakeshia Taylor, according to The New York Times.
"The local precinct commander had reached out to local leaders about the attack on Friday," said The Police Department, according to New York Times.
Brownsville residents stated that the playground is a dangerous place when it is dark. One resident of 43 years, Althea Pierce, says she carries a small pocket knife for when she passes the park, and has for some time, according to The Washington Post. Yet news to this event is still found to be very shocking to residents.
"This administration has zero tolerance for sexual attacks, and we will work to ensure a crime of this nature never happens again," said New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, according to CNN.
Further investigation to the attack is ongoing.
