A gunman who raped a 19-year-old University of Alabama student in her townhome was described today as a sexual predator, and authorities said they are working hard to identify him, find him and bring him to justice.

"It is a priority case for our office,'' said Tuscaloosa Metro Homicide Capt. Gary Hood.

Investigators today released more detail about the Sunday morning attack, and also released a composite sketch of the assailant. The assault happened about 12:45 a.m. Sunday inside the victim's townhome in the 1200 block of Convent Street, which is several blocks southwest of the campus and an area popular among students for off-campus housing.

Hood said the victim had left The Strip and walked home alone. She went inside her two-story townhome, and was upstairs in her bedroom getting ready for bed when she heard someone coming up the stairs and went to investigate. She came face-to-face with the man, who pointed a gun at her and then forcibly robbed and raped her.

Authorities are withholding some details of the crime - including what items were stolen - for investigative reasons. Hood didn't say whether there was surveillance video from her complex, but said they did view footage from somewhere in the area that indicated there were still quite a few people out after Saturday's Iron Bowl that may have seen the suspect and thought him to be suspicious.

The suspect left after the attack, and Hood said the victim then called her family and went to a friend's home. Her roommate wasn't home at the time.

From there, authorities were called and the victim was taken to DCH Regional Medical Center for treatment. "She's traumatized by this, as is expected,'' Hood said.

Authorities said there was nothing to indicate that the victim and suspect knew each other, and they don't know whether she was specifically targeted or whether it was just a crime of opportunity. All they know is that he did follow her, but they weren't sure where or when he started to follow her.

Hood described the crime as "brazen," considering the crowds still in the area following the Iron Bowl. He said they don't have any confirmed reports linking the suspect to any other crimes but said it is something they are investigating.

The suspect is described as a black male in his early to mid-20s. He is at least 6-feet tall with a heavy build. He was wearing a dark-colored hoodie and dark-colored pants.

So far this year, Hood said his unit has investigated 106 sexual assault crimes - 27 of those from University of Alabama students, and another of a UA staff member. Of those 27, only two have resulted in an arrest. Many have been unfounded, or investigators were not able to obtain enough information and evidence to secure a warrant.

Investigators are cautioning people in the area - especially female students - to be aware of their surrounds, to not walk alone, to keep their doors locked and to always have phone ready to call for help. They also are asking for the public's help in identifying the suspect before anyone else gets hurt.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Tuscaloosa Metro Homicide Unit at 205-464-8690.