Wilding in The Night

A brutal gang rape in New York City triggers fears that the U.S. is breeding a generation of merciless children

From time to time a new word bursts into the lexicon, capturing with shocking force the latent fears of a troubled age. The latest such word is "wilding," the term used by a band of New York City teenagers to describe the mischief they set out to commit on a clear April night in Central Park. Looking, they said, for something to do, they roamed the park's northern reaches, splintering into smaller groups and allegedly assaulting one hapless victim after another. Finally, one pack came upon a 28-year-old woman jogging alone past a grove of sycamore trees. According to police, they...

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