On Saturday, May 10, 2025, a 28-year-old man from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was arrested and charged in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 52-year-old woman in a downtown parking facility. According to court records made public this week, Wynton Qushawn Rice has been charged with first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, and second-degree assault.
The victim reported to authorities that she was using the restroom at the Tuscaloosa Transit Authority parking deck between 4:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. when an unknown man, later identified as Rice, forced his way into her bathroom stall while armed with a knife. The victim told investigators that the suspect demanded sex and physically assaulted her, causing a laceration to one of her fingers. She stated that Rice initially attempted to rape her within the small stall but was unsuccessful due to space constraints. He then forced her to move to a larger, handicap-accessible stall, where he allegedly raped her and compelled her to perform oral sex.
Rice was arrested and booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail. As of now, no bond has been set. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with additional information to come forward.
This incident has raised concerns about safety in public facilities, especially during early morning hours. The Tuscaloosa Transit Authority has stated that they are reviewing their security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Community members are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to local law enforcement.