'Rape' rumour led to violence.

TRAGIC Isaiah Young-Sam was the innocent victim of race riots sparked by an unfounded rumour about a gang rape.

Tensions rose after rumours that a teeange city girl was attacked by several men after being caught shoplifting from a store swept through the community.

The owner of the shop rubbished the allegations, claiming they were spread by a pirate radio station.

But protesters gathered outside his store throughout the week.

Trouble first flared outside a church when police were bombarded by bricks and rapidly spread throughout the area.

Isaiah and his friends, who had been planning to visit the church meeting to find out the truth of the rumours, found their way blocked by police and were trying to make their way home when they were ambushed.

Police found no evidence that the rape ever happened.