Gang Rape Reported At Michigan’s Faster Horses Festival
The Cambridge Township Police Department in south central Michigan is looking for information from anyone who may know about an alleged gang rape that occurred on the grounds of the Faster Horses Festival on Saturday, July 19th right as Tim McGraw was finishing his headlining set.
Cambridge Township Police Department Chief Larry Wibbeler says a 25-year-old woman was separated from her group in the parking lot of the Michigan International Speedway at around 12:05 AM where the 3-day Faster Horses Festival was being held, when she was confronted and allegedly raped by three men. The woman was trying to make her way to the parking area near the U.S. 12 entrance. “She was attacked in the dark near the parking area, and there didn’t happen to be anyone around in that parking area,” Chief Wibbeler told Mlive.com.
The woman suffered multiple injuries as part of the sexual assault including contusions, scrapes, and scratches. After the rape, the woman was able to get the attention of other concertgoers who offered her assistance and called police. The woman was then transported to Allegiance Health hospital in Jackson, MI by ambulance where a rape kit was conducted. The rape kit is currently at the Michigan State Police crime lab for evidence gathering and analysis.
Manager of media relations at Michigan International Speedway Brad Kuhbander says the speedway is cooperating with the investigation. “Safety is our No. 1 priority. We work with police, fire, homeland security and the FBI on a regular basis to ensure the safety of all our guests,” he tells mlive.com.
Cambridge Township Police have been unable to identify any witnesses or suspects in the case. The alleged rape happened in a dark area, and beyond the description of “three white males,” investigators have no leads. The incident went unreported by local news until authorities felt they had sufficient evidence a rape had occurred and were lost for leads in the case. Authorities are asking for anyone who may have information on the alleged rape to contact Cambridge Township Police Department at 517-467-4737.
The news comes as stories of country concerts getting out of hand have been in the headlines this summer, including over the weekend when a drunk driver ran over a police officer at a Jason Aldean concert, and 30 concertgoers were taken to local hospitals. During the previous weekend, 55 people were arrested, and 22 taken to hospitals at a Keith Urban show at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Mass. Later it was also revealed that an alleged rape happened in the venue’s lawn section while as many as 15 people stood and watched and took video of the incident. An annual event in Pittsburgh became a national story when pictures of trash and drunken patrons went viral in late June. And a 22-year-old man was found dead in a dumpster in late July after a Jason Aldean concert in what is thought to be an alcohol-related incident.
READ- How We Got Here: The Subversion of Country Music
August 5, 2014 @ 7:03 pm
I don’t know what to say. This is horrifying.
August 5, 2014 @ 7:26 pm
As horrifying and despicable as this is, I can’t say I’m surprised. You mix absurd amounts of booze with the our-of-control testosterone of guys who grew up listening to songs glorying rape by “artists” (and yes, I use that term VERY loosely) like Eminem and this is what you get. Thoughts, prayers & good vibes to the victim.
August 5, 2014 @ 7:35 pm
After reading my initial comment, perhaps I should rephrase. Yes, there are people who get drunk and grew up listening to rape-glorifying rappers but they don’t act out what’s in the songs. And saying that testosterone & booze magically turns one in to a rapist is absurd now I take a second look and it’s really not what I meant to say. I think what it all boils down to is that there are some sick, twisted, disgusting people in this world.
August 6, 2014 @ 7:51 am
Funny you try to bring up Eminem as an example of “the problem” with music. I actually saw Eminem this past weekend at Lollapalooza, and according to news reports, half as many people were arrested over the course of the three-day festival as there were at a single Keith Urban show, and there have been ZERO reported rapes at the three-day popular music festival attended by well over 100,000 people. But yeah, I’m sure you’re right … it’s kids growing up listening to “rape-glorifying rappers” that makes people going to a country concert act out in ways like have been outlined in recent news articles. FWIW, I’ve seen Eminem two times prior to seeing him this weekend, and I have never heard of any rapes at any Eminem concert I’ve attended (and one was over 70,000 people!).
August 5, 2014 @ 7:45 pm
Thoughts are definitely with the victim. I went to faster horses last year and vowed to never return. The security was awful, especially at campsites and parking lots. The party atmosphere was disgusting and unruly. It was only a matter of time before something this awful would happen there. Here’s hoping they catch the sobs responsible and make an example of them. 🙁 I am worried to raise my children to form a love for country music if this is how it is being represented
August 5, 2014 @ 9:25 pm
(shakes head) ; __ ; ; __ ; ; __ ;
August 6, 2014 @ 4:12 am
maybe I just need to not go to any more concerts if this is what goes on while i’m acting like a human being.
August 6, 2014 @ 6:49 am
This sucks. Just awful.
I don’t want take away from the seriousness of this attack, but I’m curious are these concert attacks are actually more of problem, or if they are just getting more media attention? Not that I’m complaining about these being reported, because shedding light on this is the only way things may change. But I’m merely curious if, like the shark attack frenzy about 10 years ago, if this just seems more problematic because it’s getting more media attention, or if it’s actually a growing issue? Regardless, a change of behavior and security is needed.
August 6, 2014 @ 7:36 am
I never heard of anything like this happening at the George Strait festivals I frequently attended in the 90s, nor at the Alan Jackson shows.
August 6, 2014 @ 7:44 am
All I can say Derek is that I never used to see these type of stories, and now they are all over the place. One litmus test is if local media are covering these stories as big news, and in every instance, they are. That means they see the situations as exceptional or newsworthy. This is not like CNN or some big sensational-style outlet, these are local news affiliates covering these stories and finding them troubling.
August 6, 2014 @ 9:24 am
Then yeah, I’d go with it’s probably a growing problem. It’s a shame that actions like this are happening everywhere. I’d put my money on at least half of the cause of these issues are influenced from the content of the music. “This is How We Roll” “Small Town Throwdown” “Get Me Some of That”… it’s terrible to think how influential these songs are.
Caution and responsibility are crucial at these festivals. Security should be placed all over so situations like this can be avoided. And if there’s not security, then a maximum capacity needs to be enforced to protect the well being of the concert goers. Criminals are always going to attempt to beat the system, but I feel like there are improvements that can be made to avoid a similar situation.
August 6, 2014 @ 9:47 am
It’s not the music that is encouraging people to act like animals. It’s poor upbringing and lack of moral responsibility. I listen to DMX every morning, yet you won’t find me barking at co-workers all day long.
August 6, 2014 @ 11:11 am
I agree. I’m not saying that it’s all the music’s fault. Obviously the simple solution would be teaching people common sense, responsible alcohol consumption, a general sense of respecting others, etc. If people actually cared about behaving right in public, this obviously wouldn’t be an issue.
My point was, that to an extent, I think the themes and the content in these songs are influential to the actions of these people. But you’re right. These people just need a sense of morality and responsibility.
August 6, 2014 @ 6:50 am
Just looking at the lineup from that festival. My my how Chris Stapleton has fallen.
August 6, 2014 @ 6:53 am
I remember when rap shows had a reputation for violence and debauchery. Congrats “country music” you are now the bottom of the barrel. This certainly is not your grandma’s or my country music anymore.
August 6, 2014 @ 6:54 am
I commend you for continuing to write about this.
August 6, 2014 @ 9:01 am
I just flat out refuse to go to music festivals anymore.
The security is hopelessly outnumbered hundreds (sometimes thousands?) to one. There’s no end to the people flooding these parks and open areas because there’s no “maximum capacity”.
And somewhere along the line, these festivals have garnered the idea of being able to do whatever you want, and damn the consequences. People act like they’re on Spring Break instead of it being a few hours of music.
If it’s not a show where my ticket has an assigned seat in a building with enforceable fire codes, I’ll pass.
August 6, 2014 @ 3:41 pm
I carry a gun everywhere I can legally do so.
It’s normal to feel safe walking into a venue to see a performance and to feel reasonably safe waddling out with the crowd when it’s over.
But if you leave early, you are probably going to walk though a largely deserted area.
I hope this lady recovers in every respect from this assault.
Sounds like we need 3 ropes and a tree to me.
August 6, 2014 @ 5:45 pm
So much for being “good ole country boys” like most songs portray them as. Nothing but a bunch of scum losers. This is terrible and disgusting and I hope she recovers, but unfortunately a lot of damage has probably been done mentally.
August 6, 2014 @ 6:05 pm
I agree that the miscreants who committed these horrible acts are responsible for their own actions and you can’t blame the music but I think it could go a long way if the headliners at these shows were more vocal about speaking out against the violence and all the trash left behind. There will always be predators looking for easy opportunities but maybe the culture at these shows could be shifted a bit if more people attending were vigilant about looking out for each other and keeping the bad guys in check. And the musicians can help make this happen if they have the backbone to speak up about it. If any of these musicians have spoken out I’m not aware of it.
Thanks for reporting on this, Trigger. The spotlight should be kept on this type of behavior until it stops.
August 6, 2014 @ 8:08 pm
Unreal… Today’s young culture is so twisted.. Animals behave better.
Can prob thank those who felt time outs were better than a smack across your ass!!
Now were seeing the result of coddling & not having to pay for your actions.
Pre Season Football Instead Of Big Brother Tiddy Bits | Rawhide And Velvet
August 7, 2014 @ 7:17 pm
[…] This is just getting out of control. Stop it people”¦you aren’t savages!  […]
August 8, 2014 @ 12:56 pm
It all boils down to people having no respect for themselves or for others!! We see it time and time again during SpringBreak!! Having a few drinks and having fun is one thing … but drinking yourself into oblivion is just plain dumb!! Everything is to EXCESS these days … and no one takes responsibility for their own actions. It’s sad … but unfortunately it’s the reality of where we’re at as a society. Unfortunately, without witnesses, these suspects will probably never be found. Smh