Wisconsin Police: Teen Girl Sexually Assaulted, Pepper-Sprayed Outside Trump Rally
JANESVILLE, Wis. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Wisconsin police said a 15-year-old girl was sexually assaulted and pepper-sprayed outside a Donald Trump rally in Janesville Tuesday.
Video of the incident, posted by Wisconsin State Journal's Molly Beck, shows the girl getting pepper-sprayed after appearing to throw a punch at someone off camera.
"This ended with the blonde woman punching that man, then getting pepper spray thrown in her face (and on me)," Beck tweeted.
The incident happened at the rally outside the Holiday Inn Express and Janesville Convention Center which was attended by nearly 1,000 people.
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"A 15-year-[old] girl from Janesville was peppered sprayed in the crowd by a non-law enforcement person. A 19-year-old woman from Madison received 2nd hand spray as well. Both individuals received medical attention at local hospitals. A male in the [crowd] groped the 15-year-[old] girl, when she pushed him away; another person in the [crowd] sprayed her. We are currently looking for two suspects, one for the sexual assault and one for the pepper spray," the Janesville Police Department said in a statement.
On Monday, police said six anti-Trump protesters were arrested on charges of disorderly conduct, obstructing an officer and trespassing.
Trump told supporters at the Tuesday rally that "if we win Wisconsin, it's pretty much over," noting his significant delegate lead over rivals Ted Cruz and John Kasich. Trump held the rally in Janesville, Wisconsin, hometown of House Speaker Paul Ryan -- who last week called for more civility in politics even as the Republican presidential race grew more personal and nasty.
Trump arrived in Wisconsin fending off another controversy that eclipsed his message and well as those of his rivals, all of whom converged on the state a week from the pivotal vote.
Trump's campaign manager Corey Lewandowski was charged with misdemeanor battery in Florida on Tuesday over an altercation with a reporter earlier this month, prompting Cruz to accuse the billionaire front-runner of fostering a culture of "abusive behavior."
The news overshadowed Trump's efforts to make gains in Wisconsin ahead of its April 5 primary as Cruz lured support from some of the state's most influential voices. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a former GOP presidential contender, endorsed Cruz Tuesday, saying he believes the Texas senator is best positioned to win the GOP nomination and defeat presumed general election rival Hillary Clinton.
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
