Georgia Tech student raped behind fraternity house, police say

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By David Ibata and Mike Morris

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia Tech police continued to search Friday for the man who allegedly raped a female student behind a fraternity house early Thursday evening.

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Anna-Marie Soper-O'Rourke walks past the Sigma Nu fraternity house on the Georgia Tech campus Friday morning on her way into work.

John Spink, jspink@ajc.com Anna-Marie Soper-O'Rourke walks past the Sigma Nu fraternity house on the Georgia Tech campus Friday morning on her way into work.

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Police said the attack reportedly happened about 6:40 p.m. in a fenced area at the rear of the Sigma Nu fraternity house at 750 Fowler St. N.W. -- as thousands of sports fans were streaming to nearby Bobby Dodd Stadium for the Tech-Virginia Tech football game.

According to a Tech police incident report obtained by the AJC late Friday morning, the rape was reported by a woman who "advised that she was speaking for the victim, who wants to remain anonymous."

"The victim confirmed that she was raped, but refused to speak with anyone at the scene about the incident," Tech police Officer Cassandra Davis wrote in her report, adding that the victim "did state, however, that she would contact me tomorrow and speak to me about the incident."

Davis wrote in the report that "Grady EMS did arrive on scene, but the victim refused treatment."

The unidentified woman who made the complaint told Davis that the victim told her that shew as raped by a Hispanic male, about 40 years old, with a black mustache and wearing a white shirt, black sweat pants and white tennis shoes.

Tech spokesman Matt Nagel told the AJC Friday that investigators "do not believe the fraternity is involved except by proximity."

Anyone with information about the incident was asked to contact Tech police at 404-894-2500.

In a statement issued late Thursday night, Nagel said, "The safety and security of Georgia Tech students, faculty and staff remains our top priority.

“On Thursday evening, more than 115 sworn public safety officers were on duty including members of the Georgia Tech Police Department, Atlanta Police Department, Georgia State Patrol, GBI and Fulton County Sheriff's Office along with 315 event security personnel,” Nagel said.

“We remind our campus community to remain vigilant and to report any concerns to the Georgia Tech Police Department.”

The Thursday attack was the latest and most serious crime at or near Tech in recent months. In October alone, three women were assaulted in separate attacks, and several robberies were reported.

Anna-Marie Soper-O’Rourke has worked at the Tech library for 11 years. She walks past the area where Thursday's rape occurred several times a day, and called the incident “frightening.”

She also said early Friday that she doesn’t know what more campus police can do to combat the recent rash of crimes.

“I see [police] presence all over,” Soper-O’Rourke told the AJC. “I see them in the buildings, outside the buildings, in cars, on Segways, on foot.”

Soper-O’Rourke said that she knows many officers, “and I know they are concerned about all the incidents going on.”

“I’ve seen them handing out flyers for safety awareness,” she said. “It’s hard to imagine what more they could be doing.”

The university has issued a safety advisory with tips to remind students, faculty and staff to report any suspicious activity immediately to Georgia Tech Police by calling 404-894-2500.

People should walk in groups, be aware of surroundings, program the Tech police number into cell phones, and call the Stingerette, campus transportation, for a ride home at 404-385-7433, the university said.

Staff photographer John Spink contributed to this article.