MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) It was a scary moment for a teenage girl when Mobile Police say she was sexually assaulted while walking home after school.
MPD said it happened at around 4:30 p.m. Monday near the 500 block of Donald Street. Authorities searching for the man responsible have created a composite of the alleged attacker in hopes of finding him. The suspect is described an overweight dark-skinned man in his 40s.
Those who know the victim in the neighborhood said it had the community shaken up.
"I've watched her walk home from schools for years, like she'll come by and speak happy face and everything," said one neighbor who did not want to be identified.
Mobile Police said the 16-year-old girl was attacked and sexually assaulted in broad day light.
"It's crazy," one neighbor said.
MPD said the student was walking toward Mott Drive West and took a shortcut by walking behind Donald Street. It is on Donald Street where police believe a man grabbed the victim's arm and forced sexual contact with her. The teenage girl was able to escape after kicking the suspect.
One neighbor said, "To hear about somebody assaulted her or rape it just really shocked me. It shocked the neighborhood for real."
The neighbor said there are a lot of neighborhood children and teens that walk home from school every day, including the victim. He said learning of the incident has him on edge.
"I got a little sister that I go get every day from school. I just don't want nothing like that to happen to her," he said.
The neighbor stated, "My eyes been opened ever since it happened. I've been looking like out the window now just looking now to see just like I want to know who would do something like that."
Mobile Police say this is an active investigation. They are asking residents in the area to contact police if they see anyone who matches the description of the suspect.
Here is the contact information
Mobile Police: (251) 208-7000, or text CRIMES (274637) and include the keyword CRIME411.
CLICK HERE for Local 15's report on the incident Tuesday, April 8.
