Rinelle Harper supporters take to social media

WINNIPEG – The brutal sexual attack on Rinelle Harper over the weekend has left a community enraged, with some now lashing out on social media.

A Facebook post naming and showing the pictures of two men allegedly responsible for Harper’s attack has been shared over 1,600 times in 24 hours.

Police have identified 20-year-old Justin Hudson, but not the 17-year-old youth who is also charged with attempted murder and aggravated sexual assault.

The Youth Criminal Justice Act prohibits anyone from broadcasting or publishing the identity of a suspected young offender, whether that’s on television, in the newspaper, or on social media.

“There could be charges, it seems to me, under the criminal code or under the young offenders act for breaching the law by naming the young offender and posting his picture,” said Jay Prober, a criminal defense lawyer not associated with the case.’

WATCH: Police have arrested two young men in connection with the crime. One of them is just 17 and cannot be identified. But that’s not stopping some on social media from expressing their disgust.

Some of the posts have threatened violence against both men.

“We’ll take that information, we’ll monitor it, and if we have to move forward we certainly we will, we’re not going to tolerate any form of threat or vigilantism in any way shape or form,” said Const. Jason Michalyshen, Winnipeg Police Service.

“What’s dangerous and irresponsible, especially for the 17-year-old, is plastering his picture all over social media when it might not even be that person,” said Prober.

Even Harper’s family wants the online vigilantism to stop.

“There should be no retaliation, that’s what the family is asking,” said Grand Chief David Harper.