• Source:JND
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Melissa Harris, a 25-year-old Brooklyn native, has alleged that she was raped near Coney Island’s boardwalk early Saturday morning while bystanders filmed and laughed instead of helping. Harris, who has chosen to publicly identify herself to help catch the suspect, shared her ordeal with CBS News and local media outlets.

Harris said she arrived at the Coney Island boardwalk around 11 pm (local time) Friday, hoping to enjoy the night despite missing the scheduled fireworks. She spent time near a bonfire with a group of people she had just met, including the man she believes later attacked her.

Around 3 am (local time), as she was walking away from the beach near Stillwell Avenue, she noticed the man approaching with what she described as "bad vibes." Attempting to escape, she tripped over a walking mat and fell.

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'Nobody Helped, Nobody Stopped'

According to Harris, the man took advantage of her vulnerable position. “He saw that I was on the floor and that’s when he put his face between my legs,” she said. “I started screaming, and everyone started laughing and recording me. Nobody helped. Nobody stopped.”

She added that the headlights of a passing golf cart briefly illuminated the scene, but the driver did not intervene and continued on.

Harris said she managed to get up and flee, but the man followed her down Stillwell Avenue and allegedly raped her shortly after. She emphasised that there were witnesses to both incidents and is urging them to come forward to help bring the attacker to justice. “I was just terrified, and I couldn’t fight back,” she said.

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Police Investigation Underway

Law enforcement sources confirmed to local media that a rape was reported at Coney Island on Saturday. Harris is currently in contact with the NYPD’s Special Victims Unit. She has shared her story across social media platforms, including videos from earlier in the night showing a large crowd around a bonfire.