Four teenage boys were charged as adults yesterday [Monday, January 11, 2016] in connection with the brutal gang rape of an 18-year old woman in a Brownsville neighborhood park.
The suspects have been identified as 14-year old Denzel Murray, Shaquell Cooper and Ethan Phillip, both 15 years old, and a 17-year old Omandi Brown. As of this morning, police are still searching for a fifth suspect.
Two of the suspects were turned in by their parents, while two others were apprehended by authorities. All four have been charged with rape, sexual abuse and two counts of a criminal sex act, authorities say.
The alleged rape took place Thursday night [January 7, 2016]. The victim and her father were drinking in Osborn Playground when they were approached by the five men. One teen pointed a gun at the father, demanding he leave.
According to the father, his cries for help at a nearby bodega were ignored. His request to use a telephone was denied. It was during this time, authorities say, all five teens took turns raping his daughter.
By the time the father managed to get the attention of patrol officers, all five suspects had run off.
“The store owner, he should be ashamed of himself,” said John Rodriguez, a member of the 75th Precinct Community Council. “When this father came to him to ask him for help for his daughter, he did not allow him to call or even use the phone.”
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams issued a statement saying he was “sickened” by the act of sexual violence.
“I do not accept a city where reports of rape and sexual assault are on the rise,” Adams said.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio also expressed his sentiments regarding the attack.
“Every New Yorker in every neighborhood deserves to feel safe and protected, and we will not stop until the perpetrators of this disturbing attack are held accountable for their actions. This administration has zero tolerance for sexual attacks, and we will work to ensure a crime of this nature never happens again.”
