New York gang rape 2015 Brooklyn
4 youths have been arrested over the alleged gang rape of a girl in Osborn Park Brooklyn Google Streetview

Police in New York have arrested four suspects over the brutal rape of an 18-year-old woman which shocked the city. All the suspects are aged between 14 and 17, police say. A fifth suspect has yet to be apprehended.

The young woman was walking in Osborn Park, in the Brownsville neighbourhood of Brooklyn with her father when a gang approached them at around 9.10pm EST last Thursday (7 January). After pointing a gun at the girl's father forcing him to flee they each raped the victim. The father returned with two uniformed officers but the suspects had fled.

In a statement on Sunday New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said he was "disgusted and extremely saddened by the horrific attack," adding: "Every New Yorker in every neighborhood deserves to feel safe and protected."

According to the girl's father, it took him 20 minutes to find police. The case has led to accusations police were slow to respond - which the police deny. In a statement the NYPD said they had not received a 911 call and responded as soon as they were alerted by the girl's father. "There was no delay in the police response," said the NYPD in a statement.

The statement went on: "A patrol car from the 73 Precinct was approached on the street and told about the attack by the victim's father, who directed the officers to the scene. The police officers immediately responded and located the victim. The suspects had already fled.

"The police officers called for a supervisor and an ambulance, which responded and transported the victim to the hospital. There was no delay in the police response. There were no 911 calls associated with the attack, contrary to media reports."

According to the New York Times two suspects aged 15 and 17 were apprehended by the police. The other two, aged 14 and 15, were reportedly turned in by their parents. The suspects had been seen on a bodega's surveillance camera published by police recorded shortly before the incident. According to CBS the suspects may be tried as adults.

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