Second suspect arrested in alleged gang rape of Bay Area high school student

A second suspect was arrested tonight in connection with the alleged gang rape of a 15-year-old girl who police say was assaulted at Richmond High School for at least two hours while witnesses watched and did not call authorities.

The suspect, a 15-year-old student, was booked on one count of felony sexual assault, said Lt. Mark Gagan. Police earlier had arrested a 19-year-old former student on rape, robbery and kidnapping charges in connection with the attack, which took place Saturday night during the school's homecoming dance.

The victim, who was waiting for a ride from her father after leaving the dance, was taken to a dark alley on the other side of the school around 9:30 p.m. and raped, beaten and robbed by about seven attackers, police said.

The ordeal lasted 2 to 2 1/2 hours, Gagan said, during which time more than a dozen witnesses passed by or watched what was going on but did not call the police.

The girl's father was looking for her while the attack was taking place, police said.

Police were finally called after a female student overhead people talking about the rape. She called 911 and told dispatchers what she had heard, Gagan said.

When officers arrived on the scene, the assault was still going on. Several suspects fled as officers found the girl naked from the waist up, Gagan said.

"She was unconscious," he said.

He said investigators based their account of the incident on an interview with the girl and statements from several people who witnessed or were involved with the assault. The girl remained hospitalized tonight.

-- Robert J. Lopez

Comments

[Daniel]

MR. Sanchez you said black young me raped a hispanic female and it was tolerated. I realize you are upset about the violence but did you see the last name of the 19 year old arrested it was hispanic. Do not make this a race isue it is a human race issue! No matter what ethnicity these boys were everyone agrees they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

[daniel kristl]

please dont talk badly about the cockroach illegals ,they just came here to make a better life for themselves.America has become in a mere 230 years ,the strongest ,best educated ,and wealthiest country on the planet , and it only took the cockroaches 10 years to DESTROY everything legals accomplished

[ROBERT E. CALLAHAN]

15 year old girl gang raped and people just look on! What has happened to this country? Things like this are not supposed to happen here. Even more alarming to me is that every time I hear one of these unbelievable news reports, it took place in California. I blame it on our prison system being over crowded. Laws are too soft because the cost to warehouse all of these people is staggering. The State of California should go after the Mexican government to recoup the cost of locking up all the its illegals, since the Federal Government is not footing the bill. We need to learn from Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. I would lock these people up, make them work hard 16 hour days to offset the cost of their incarceration and not give them coffee, cigarettes, or television. Our prison system needs to be so horrific that no one wants be there. California could have balanced its state budget by cutting the cost of running the prison system alone. Bring back capital punishment! Cut all perks including the so called rehabilitation programs. PRISON IS FOR PUNISHMENT! NOT FREE MEDICAL, NOT THREE HOTS AND A COT!

[RabidinL.A.]

1st offence: automatic chemical castration. No appeals.
2nd offence: automatic physical castration. No appeals.
3rd offence: death penalty. There is no rehabilitation for rapists. On the contrary, it accelerates with time. They've already had chances. No appeals.
I for one, refuse to further maintain sick vermin as these behind bars as I am sick at the exponential proliferation of monsters.

[rosa]

Why is everyone bringing up illegal immigration? This is not the issue, what idiot wants to say that only illegal immigrants rape in this country? I dare them.

The fact is that these monsters need to be punished inhumanely and slowly. The witnesses must also face jail time. As a high school student, I am outraged that this kind of crap goes on, and even more that people my own age were involved. Rape is not about sexuality, race, or "cultural group" it is about power, these monsters need to be put to death and the students at this school need a good slap in the face. This kind of thing makes me lose faith not only in my generation, but in humanity as a whole. Justice system don't fail me also, we the people demand revenge for this girl.

[Ted]

Sanchez are u blind? The suspects were hispanics not black or white. Maybe u need to question your own Hispanic community and teach your la raza men how to respect women.

[mskeen]

You know these kids could be brought to Texas. Here in the Lonestar state we don't mess around. We have the DEATH PENALTY, and we follow through..... That is what these little punks deserve. Imagine the long term effects this will have on the poor little girl. The sickos that walked by and did nothing are guilty as well. They did nothing, sick freaks........
Pray for the girl, she was left alive because the creator has a plan for her. Praise the girl who called 911 she deserves a reward for being an actual human being with morals.

[Dave Parham]

My real comments would make every one of your heads swirl. I have not yet proposed burning the criminals alive, but I offer some other options. I will tone it way down and just start by saying that [a]Jesus died for all our sins so we must forgive as Christ forgave us. [b]That said, we need a strong judicial system that allows people to "meet their maker," replete with counseling and ministering. Do not confuse forgiveness with being easy on crime. Then carry out executions fast; do not tarry - Ecclesiastes 8:11: "Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil." In some cases, publically castrate; sometimes just shoot them in the head, publically; or maybe even shoot them in the head then wood-chip the rapist - then smear the blood and mush of the criminal onto the faces of those who stood by and watched. Tell the victim and their family what happened but do not make them watch. Make the other criminals, and the immediate family members of the criminals watch. This will not undo the crimes, but might give future children the idea that America will not tolerate vile, sick, aggregious, evil acts. I pray for the victim and her family. I pray also for the criminals that they might one day know the love of Jesus and his forgiveness. Then let our justice system deal harshly with such crimes. I know I've not been caught red-handed during every misstep I've committed in my life, especially as a teen, but I did get caught enough, and know I got of lightly. So I say all this with temperance, humility, and fear of God's wrath were I to get what I fully deserve. Certain crimes especially, however must be made public examples of.

[Lorrie Sanchez]

Teen violence is up and here is another tragic example.The a 15-year-old California girl that was sexually assaulted by as many as 10 men and teens outside her high school homecoming dance.

Should bystanders be held accountable?

Onlookers apparently did nothing as the high school girl was victimized and surrounded by people who were apparently tolerating what was going on. WHY?

Those who are uncomfortable speaking up may feel they risk ridicule, retaliation or personal injury by speaking out, leaving or calling the police. Other elements that may prevent bystanders from taking action include fear of disciplinary action, not being believed, fear of seeming less masculine as in the case above, and making the situation worse.

Silence can be interpreted as acceptance. Bystanders that just stand by and do nothing fan the flame.

We need to teach our children how to be positive bystanders and give them resources and help how to speak up without putting themselves in danger.