Shocking gang rape took place at California school dance

Oct 27, 2009, 19:42 GMT

San Francisco - Police have arrested a 15-year-old boy on charges that he participated in a shocking gang rape outside a school dance in northern California, amid reports that over a dozen students witnessed the brutal assault but did nothing to stop it.

The incident occurred on Saturday night at Richmond High School, just outside San Francisco. Police arrested a 19-year-old as he ran from the scene where a student who had attended the dance had been brutally raped by as many as six people.

'She was raped, beaten, robbed and dehumanized by several suspects who were obviously OK enough with it to behave that way in each other's presence,' said Lieutenant Mark Gagan, said at a Tuesday press conference. 'What makes it even more disturbing is the presence of others. People came by, saw what was happening, and failed to report it.'

Police only learnt of the crime when another student at an after- party heard rumours and alerted authorities. The victim was found semiconscious under a bench and was flown to hospital in critical condition.

Gagan told reporters that the victim had left the dance and had joined a group that were drinking in an alley next to the playground. The assault began after she quickly drank a large amount of alcohol and fell over, he said.

'As people announced over time that this was going on, more people came to see, and some actually participated,' Gagan said. 'It was like a horror movie after looking at the evidence. I can't believe not one person felt compelled to help her.'