Composite sketch released after high school student attacked in Altamonte Springs

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — Altamonte Springs police continue to search for a man they said attacked an 18-year-old Lake Brantley High School student who had missed her school bus early Monday morning.

According to police, the woman said that after missing the bus she was walking back to her apartment inside the Landmark at Hailey Walk off State Road 434 when she was grabbed from behind by a man.

"He told her to be quiet or he was going to kill her," said Ernest Isley, the victim's father.

According to the woman, the man had a sharp object in his hand and told her to be quiet or he would kill her. She said when the man let go of her, she was able to get away.

Authorities said the man took off when a witness spotted the attack.

"The guy got spooked and said, 'Just kidding,' and ran off," said Isley.

The victim ran home, where her mother called 911.

"A man just tried to abduct my daughter by knifepoint," the victim's mother told 911 dispatchers.

"The concerning thing is he threatened to kill her if she didn't cooperate," said Officer Robert Pelton of the Altamonte Springs Police Department. "He's considered dangerous and we want to find him."

Police described the suspect as a black man who stood 6 feet tall with a medium to large build. They said he had a shaved beard, was believe to be in his mid-20s and was wearing a bright yellow shirt.

Police released a composite sketch in hopes that someone might recognize the man. Since then, officers said there were two sightings of the man but authorities have not been able to apprehend him.

When students came home from school Thursday afternoon, Altamonte Springs Police were stationed at several bus stops along SR-434.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Marcos Ramirez at 407-571-8272 or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477).

WFTV