PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Four city teens are being accused of raping an 18-year-old University of Massachusetts Amherst student.
Emmanuel Bile,18, Justin King, 18, Adam Licciardi, 18, and Caleb Womack, 17, are accused of raping the woman in her residence hall in the early hours of Oct. 13. The four knew the victim but did not attend the school.
The teens were arrested by a team consisting of UMass Amherst Police, Pittsfield Police and state police assigned to the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office, according to a statement released by the school on Monday.
UMass Amherst Police Chief John Horvath said the department determined that the general campus was not in danger but will increase awareness of safety procedures and review the security of the residence halls.
"The safety of our students is paramount. Following the incident, we communicated with security personnel and residence hall staff to reiterate current security procedures. In addition, while campus security measures have generally proved effective in the past, the university will conduct a comprehensive review of security in our residence halls. The campus is providing support to the victim and her family through our well-established resources on campus. In addition, we will redouble our efforts to educate all members of our community about protecting their safety," Horvath said in the statement.
School Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy condemned the alleged attack.
"Maintaining a safe learning and living community is of the upmost importance to our campus. We will not tolerate this violent behavior. The victim and her family are receiving support from our campus resources. I know that I speak on behalf of our university community when I say that they are all in our thoughts during this difficult time," he said.
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