UNIONDALE, NY -- An 18-year-old student was gang-raped on her college campus early Sunday morning and police have now arrested four of her five alleged attackers.
The female student was on the grounds of the Hofstra University campus, located at 1000 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale, at 3am and was forcibly raped by five men, according to Nassau County's Special Victims Section.
Of the four men arrested, only one man, 21-year-old Rondell Bedward of the Bronx, is a Hofstra student.
The other three men were registered guests of Bedward's, a Hofstra University official told PIX News.
"Everyone's pretty shocked that this happened, " Hoftra senior Brent told PIX News, "The campus is pretty safe. We have security guards around the clock [and] RSRs [Resident Safety Representatives]. There are people here. So, for something like this to happen is really, really horrible."
Bedward was charged with five counts of rape in the first degree.
Also charged with five counts of rape in the first degree were Kevin R. Taveras, 20, of Brentwood; and 19-year-olds Stalin Felipe and Jesus L. Ortiz of the Bronx.
Felipe and Ortiz was additionally charged with attempted criminal sexual act in the first degree.
Ortiz stole the victim's cell phone during the sexual assault and was further charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree.
Ortiz and Bedward were arraigned Monday, and Felipe and Taeras are scheduled to be arraigned later Tuesday at the First District Court in Hempstead.
Police are searching for the fifth rapist. It is unknown if he, too, is a Hofstra student.
"I hope the girl is ok and I hope these guys get prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Hofstra senior Brent also told PIX News.
The female victim's name and condition were not released and it is unclear if she knew any of her attackers. Also unknown is where exactly on campus the attack occurred.
Ryan, a Hofstra senior, told PIX News the university issued a statement to the student body about 13 hours after the attack and stated the case is being handled by local police.
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