Witnesses to the Richmond, California, gang rape describe the horrific scene (video)

November 10, 7:30 PMSF Headlines ExaminerEd Walsh

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Former suspect Salvador Rodriguez says he tried to help victim
AP photo from Richmond Police

Two witnesses to the horrific gang rape of a 16-year-old girl outside of her homecoming dance are describing what happened for the first time.

Salvador Rodriquez, 21, says he was the only one who tried to help the girl outside the Richmond High  dance on October 24.

"Nope, I did not rape her,"  Rodriguez told ABC-7 reporter Cecelia Vega in an exclusive interview. "I did not beat her. I did not rob her. I did not rape her. I was trying to help her. That's all I want people to know."

Rodriquez told ABC7 that he was skateboarding in the area where the girl was raped and saw that a group had formed in a poorly lit courtyard outside the school.

"They were kicking her in her head and they were beating her up, robbing her and ripping her clothes off; it's something you can't get out your mind," he said.  Rodriguez added that after the attack was over,  he tried to comfort the girl and covered her in his t-shirt.

Another witness, a 16-year-old boy who spoke anonymously. told ABC7:  "She was pretty quiet; I thought she was like dead for a minute but then I saw her moving around, I was like, 'Oh,'"

He says he never called police because he did not have a cell phone, and he was scared.   He said he watched for 15-20 minutes and wanted to help her out but didn't.
 

Rodriguez said he knew at least one of the attackers and tried to prevent the group from taking pictures of the girl on cell phones.

Rodriguez said he wishes he could have done more, but now he fears being labeled as a snitch. He is friends with one of the suspects in custody.
 

"People say, 'Why didn't I call the cops,' but at the same time, I live in Richmond, a neighborhood like this, snitching is something you don't do, you know, I mean I have to walk down the streets now in fear of my life," Rodriquez told ABC7 News.
 

Click here for information on how you can help the victim.

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Did lack of parental involvement play a part in the gang rape of girl in Richmond, California?

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Click here for a previous article on a statement that was issued by the girl’s family at a public meeting on Saturday, October 31. 

Click here for a previous article based on an earlier CNN interview with the woman who reported the rape to police.

Click here for a CNN interview with Coach Carter and his plans to return to Richmond High.

Click here to go to a slideshow with photos related to the case.


Click here for a story on a anti-violence community rally.

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