Woman Endures Terrifying Assault in Tuscaloosa Parking Deck Restroom
In the early hours of a quiet Saturday morning, a 52-year-old woman endured a harrowing ordeal in a public restroom at the Tuscaloosa Transit Authority parking deck in downtown Tuscaloosa, Alabama. What began as a routine moment turned into a nightmare when a man, armed with a knife, forced his way into her bathroom stall. The incident, which has shaken the community, has led to the arrest of 28-year-old Wynton Qushawn Rice, who now faces serious charges, including first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, and second-degree assault. The case has sparked renewed conversations about public safety and the vulnerability of women in everyday spaces.
According to court records, the assault occurred between 4:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. on May 10, 2025. The victim told investigators that the assailant, later identified as Rice, broke into her stall and immediately demanded sex while brandishing a knife. In the struggle, she sustained a laceration to one of her fingers, a physical reminder of the terror she experienced. She reported that Rice initially attempted to rape her in the confined space of the stall but was unable to do so due to its size. Undeterred, he forced her to move to a larger, handicap-accessible stall, where he allegedly raped her and coerced her into performing oral sex. The assault lasted nearly half an hour, a chilling duration captured by surveillance footage that showed Rice entering the women’s restroom at 4:02 a.m. and leaving 26 minutes later.
Tuscaloosa police acted swiftly, locating Rice the following day, May 11. During questioning, Rice offered a series of conflicting accounts. Initially, he denied being at the parking deck at all. When confronted with the surveillance evidence, he changed his story, claiming he had entered the women’s restroom but was quickly chased out by an unknown woman. As the interview progressed, he admitted to spending more time in the restroom, insisting he was only using the facilities. Eventually, Rice provided a different narrative, alleging he had met a woman he knew only by a nickname and paid her $3 for consensual oral sex. These inconsistencies, coupled with the victim’s detailed account and the video evidence, led to his arrest on Sunday, May 11. He was booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail, where a judge set his bond at $100,000 on May 14.
Further details reveal that Rice was already on probation at the time of his arrest, stemming from prior convictions for disarming a law enforcement officer, assault, and robbery. As a result, he is being held without bond pending a probation revocation hearing scheduled for July. Prosecutors have described Rice as a “clear danger” to the community, citing his criminal history and the violent nature of the alleged assault. The court filing underscores the threat he poses to public safety, a sentiment echoed by local residents who have expressed shock and concern over the incident.
The Tuscaloosa Transit Authority parking deck, located at 601 23rd Avenue, is a public facility intended to serve commuters and visitors to the city’s downtown area. The brazen nature of the attack, occurring in a space meant to be safe, has prompted calls for enhanced security measures, including better lighting and increased surveillance. Community leaders and law enforcement are now grappling with how to prevent such incidents and restore a sense of safety for residents.
The investigation remains active, with authorities indicating that additional charges could be filed as they continue to review evidence and interview witnesses. The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit is urging anyone with information about the case or similar incidents to come forward, emphasizing their commitment to supporting victims and holding perpetrators accountable. For the victim, the physical and emotional scars of that early morning will likely linger, but her courage in reporting the assault has set the wheels of justice in motion. As the case moves forward, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the ongoing need to address violence against women in all its forms.
