Investigators say 26-year-old Leewallace Butler broke into the apartment through this window in the early morning hours of October 13. Sleeping inside were a college student and her mother, who was in town visiting from China.
"It could happen to anybody," resident Manish Solanki said. "It is very disturbing to me at least."
It happened in this complex near the Astrodome, a place many international students have made their home.
"Because it is not that safe by the university and the bus frequencies are pretty good in here," resident Saketh Chakilam said.
Houston police say Butler first attacked the victim's daughter. But her mother stepped in to take her place. We're told the daughter took refuge in a bathroom while Butler sexually assaulted the older victim.
Court documents show the suspect somehow cut his left hand. He wiped off the blood with toilet paper before leaving, never realizing that same toilet paper would be used against him.
Investigators say a database search matched Butler's DNA to the toilet paper. He is now behind bars facing a $40,000 bail.
"We got a letter saying that someone was attacking someone, just they asked us to be careful," Chakilam said.
Although the attack happened four months ago, residents tell us they only recently got a letter from the manager of the property informing them of the attack.
"We are staying safe, we keep our doors locked, we take care of ourselves," Solanki said.
Some going so far as carrying Mace each time they step out their door.
The victim's daughter has moved out of the apartment complex.
Meanwhile, Butler faces a charge of aggravated sexual assault.
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