Richmond HS Gang Rape 911 Tape Released
Yesterday, Richmond police released a recording of the 911 call made on October 24 by 16-year-old Margarita Vargas, who reported the now infamous Richmond High School gang rape.
In the call, Vargas -- who had the decency to make the call after a 16-year-old girl was beaten, robbed and raped by 10 men over a two-and-a-half-hour period during a Richmond High School homecoming dance -- tells the dispatcher that "a naked girl could be found behind the dumpsters at the school." She goes on to point out that no one wanted to call the cops.
Six suspects have been arrested in the gang rape so far: Marcelles James Peter, 17, Ari Abdallah Morales, 16, Cody Ray Smith, 15, Elvis Torrentes, 21, Manuel Ortega, 19, and Jose Carlos Montano, 18. The rape victim, it's now being reported, was a friend of one of her attackers.
Neither Richmond High School principal Julio Franco nor any of the assistant principals -- who were responsible for the the homecoming dance's lack of security, which eventually led to the gang rape -- have yet to resign.
You can listen to the 911 tape here, or read a transcript of the call here or after the jump.
911 dispatcher: “911 — Where’s your emergency?”
Margarita Vargas: “Hi, um, it’s in Richmond High School.”
911: “What’s going on?”
Vargas: “Um, there’s a girl that’s like hecka drunk, and, and she’s naked.”
911: “Where at the high school?”
Vargas: “It’s in the back, it’s, um, Emeric and Hayes.”
911: “Is she on the school property?”
Vargas: “Yeah. She’s like ... in the back, though. She’s, like, by the Dumpsters.”
911: “By the Dumpsters?”
Vargas: “Uh-huh.”
911: “Is she saying anything?”
Vargas: (talking to someone off the phone) “Um, Is she saying anything?" (talking to 911) "She’s just passed ... She’s probably intoxicated because, um, she’s naked.”
911: “Is she black or white?”
Vargas: (talking to someone off the phone) “Is she black or white or what?” (talking to 911) "Uh, we ... haven’t seen her. We heard that from, um, two of, um, our friends. We don’t want to go back there because we’re scared.”
911: “Do we know if there was anybody around her?”
Vargas: (talking to someone off the phone) “Uh, is there anybody around her?” (talking to 911) “People have passed by there, have been seeing her, but nobody wants to call the cops, so we decided to call.”
911: “OK, and how old do you think she is?”
Vargas: “Um, they say she looks like a ninth-grader, like about 15, 16 probably.”
911: “What’s your name?”
Vargas: “Um, Maggie.”
911: “OK, Maggie, we’ll get someone out there.”
Vargas: “OK, thank you.”
911: “Thank you, bye-bye.”
Filed in News and tagged 911 call, east bay crime, gang rape, rape, richmond high school
"Is she black or white?" WHAT THE FUCK
Being able to ID the victim that the caller is reporting is important, because what if they found another girl passed out on the property (hey, it could happen)? They'd want to make sure that they don't miss the originally reported victim.
I hate having to ask this question, but are you sure that it's safe to report the name of the girl who made the call? I think she should be celebrated for doing what nobody else did, but there are at least ten rapists out there who might bear a grudge against the caller and there's no good reason they should know her name until they have their day in court.
Vargas revealed her identity on her own accord. Why, she even granted an interview with CBS 5, cameras and all. She's a hero. I see no reason why she should hide.
Manys - Calm down. The 911 operator probably needed something to identify the victim with.
Jline - My thoughts exactly! How tragic if this poor girl suffered retaliation for doing the right thing. I'm sure her name is already out somewhere, but it's highly irresponsible and unethical to report her name, especially since she's under 18.
you're right, it's important for the police to be able to distinguish between all of the naked drunk 15 year olds behind richmond HS dumpsters during their homecoming dance. not all of them have had 911 called for them, so we need to avoid confusion.
Relax, seriously. It's a standard question as they try to get any and all identifying details. That way, if the cops show up and she's gone (remember the 911 operator has very little info at this point) the police can ask around. Normally they ask what the person's wearing, but obviously that doesn't apply to someone who was already described as naked.
Do you really think that the 911 operator would have not sent police or not done her job based on the answer to that question?
This is a very touchy subject for a lot of people, I agree with Brock, I can only imagine how terrified she was to report this, she is a strong girl and should not hide from her courageous decision to be the ONLY person to call 911.
Where was her date during the attack?
Also, I caught some of KRON4s coverage last night and they had Cody Ray Smith’s mom outside the courthouse blaming Richmond High for her son raping that girl because there weren’t any lights in that area.
Great job, Mom. Thanks again for reproducing.
Just think... if the rapist(s) were famous Hollywood directors, there'd be petitions everywhere defending them.
Or if they were East Bay brown and black kids you would have their friends making public statements like -
“Wrong place, wrong time”
“You’re just after my kid because he’s black. I’ll sue you”
“It’s all Richmond High Schools fault my kid raped that girl because you don’t have any lights over there.”
Teen culture is being highjacked by an overwhelming ignorance of consequences and lack of respect for other people. While it is certain most teens are not caught up in this narcissistic and cruel mentality, it has been clearly shown recently that it far too many.
Too often people who commit or condone this sort of brutality not only feel no remorse but believe they are justified. This twisted mentality has been shamelessly shown by some of the Richmond students that have been blaming the victim of this horrific crime.
It should also be noted that they are also the most reactive and indignant to perceived victimization or disrespect to themselves even when they inflict it on someone else. The recent displays of anti-"snitch" mentality that poisons their feeble minds is a clear demonstration of this pathetic weakness of character.