The family of a 16-year-old rape victim urges potential witnesses from her attack to step up and talk to police.
Shortly before midnight on Sept. 16, the girl was forced by a man at knifepoint into an alley near Central and Chicago Avenues.
The man beat, raped and slashed the West Side teen's throat. She was recently released from the hospital and has provided the police with a description of her attacker.
The girl's mother said the man "was in rage" because of the severity of the assault.
She said there were allegedly several witnesses to the sexual assault and is asking for them to set their fears aside and tell the police what they know about the man.
The man is described as an African American between ages 19 and 20; 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing about 130 pounds. He has a dark complexion and short wavy hair. He was last seen wearing a dark hoodie.
Police are checking surveillance cameras in the area, and anyone with information is urged to call Area 5 detectives at (312) 746-8282.
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