BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- A Southside woman was sexually assaulted and stabbed today when a man scaled her balcony and broke into her apartment. The attack happened about 7:30 a.m. at Chateau Avalon Apartments on 13th Avenue South.

Police say the assailant broke into two other apartments on Southside before attacking the woman.

The first incident happened on Highland Avenue. Birmingham Police spokesman, Sgt. Johnny Williams Jr., said the man went into an apartment there, had a physical altercation with a man inside, and fled. A short time later, he broke into an apartment through the front door at Chateau Avalon, where there were two people inside. He left without hurting anyone there.

He then scaled the balcony of the same apartment building and broke into the victim's apartment through her sliding glass door. He sexually assaulted her and cut her throat and stomach. The woman, whose name and age have not been released, is in surgery at UAB Hospital.

"This is highly unusual," Williams said of the attack.

Evidence technicians remain on the scene. Birmingham Police officers are scouring the area in search of the attacker.

He is described as a black male in his 20s, 5 feet, 8 inches, 180 pounds. He was wearing a red shirt and a red hat. Anyone who sees someone matching that description or has information on the attack should call 911, Williams said.