ROCK HILL, S.C. — Rock Hill Police have charged a teen in connection to a sexual assault that happened early Friday morning near the campus of Winthrop University.
Police say 16-year-old Terry Shaimek Tyler is charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct First Degree, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Grand Larceny Auto, Possession of a Pistol by a Person Under 18 and Possession of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence.
Though Tyler is legally a juvenile, officials say the crimes warrant him being charged as an adult.
The crime happened around 4:30am near Alumni Drive, which is adjacent to the Winthrop University campus. Police say a 21-year-old woman told officers she was sexually assaulted near the Rose Street Apartments.
The victim was reportedly approached by a black man described as having a thin build, in his late teens or early twenties, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black sweatpants. That suspect was later identified as Tyler.
The victim claimed he approached her as she was walking towards her apartment and pulled out a handgun. He then forced her to walk to a dark area where the assault allegedly took place.
Tyler is then accused of dumping the victim’s purse and taking her iPhone, ID cards and her keys.
The victim’s gold 2012 Cadillac SRX was stolen after the incident, but later recovered by authorities on India Hook Road. Police say several individuals, including Tyler and five other minors, were detained from the car.
The five other minors had no involvement in the crimes, police say, and were released to their families without charges.
This is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call 803-329-7293.
