It happened around 6:30pm Thursday as the student was walking behind a community center in the 2900 block of Sherman Street near The Rusk School and Settegast Park.
"It's shocking to hear that actually happened," nearby resident Amanda Derosario said.
The girl says a man approached her and when he tried to grab her, she managed to break free and run back to the campus. School staff then called the Houston Police Department and HISD police.
Authorities say the incident is under investigation and extra officers have been assigned to patrol the area.
The suspect has been described as a 40-year-old, bald black man with a skull and cross bones tattoo on his left forearm and a scar above his right eye.
Meanwhile, HISD shared the following safety tips for students:
-- Students should walk in groups, not alone.
-- Students should avoid distractions, such as cell phones, and pay attention to their surroundings.
-- Students who are approached by a stranger should run away and seek help from others.
-- Students should physically resist and yell for help if anyone tries to force them into a vehicle or a home.
-- Students should immediately report any incident that makes them uncomfortable.
-- If your children walk to and from school, you should escort them as a precautionary measure, if possible.
It's good advice, even in a busy park.
"It can happen anywhere, we just always have to keep an eye out for our children," Derosario said.
To report any suspicious activity or have any information on this suspect, contact the HISD Police Department at 713-892-7777.
