Woman raped at Myriad Gardens, suspect is on the run
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The Oklahoma City Police Department is looking for a suspect after a woman was allegedly raped at the Myriad Botanical Gardens.
The assault happened at around 1:30 a.m. Thursday.
Women who visit the garden regularly said the news of the assault is both shocking and deeply unsettling.
Dawn Henry had family in town and took them to visit the 15-acre garden that she visits all the time.
"Any time we have guests from out of state, we come," said Henry. "Both my boys graduated in that area, and we took some pictures down here. I've just never thought of it not being safe here."
The victim was taken to a nearby hospital.
Best friends Brenda Hightower and Jean Rogers said they usually feel safe when visiting the popular area.
"I wouldn't have expected that. I've been here quite a few times and I've never run into any kind of problems," said Rogers.
"It's really sad to think that you have such a lovely place, in such a horrible thing can happen," said Hightower.
The only description police have right now is very vague, they said the attacker was a Hispanic man with his hair in a bun, dressed in all black.
The women said that while it's unfortunate this happened, they won't let it keep them from coming back.
"I've never run into anything, and there's to me, there's no reason to stop coming," said Rogers.
"You can't be afraid and just close yourself off because then they win," said Hightower.
OKCPD said the investigation is still in its early stages, and they are reviewing security camera footage.