Woman raped leaving church service

FRANKLIN, Va. (wAVY) - Franklin police are searching for the man they say sexually assaulted a woman during the early morning hours of New Year's Day.

A 55-year-old woman was assaulted walking home from a New Year's Eve service at First Baptist Church on Hall Street. The assault happened near the intersection of Armory Drive and Gardner Street.

The victim knocked on Franklin resident Lozie Boone's door after being attacked.

"It will break your heart," Boone said. "She was knocking real hard and hollering. When I opened the door she said 'Mr. Lozie, I've been raped.'"

Boone said the woman told him a man had followed her and passed her one time. The woman kept walking, but as she got toward Armory Drive and Gardner Street, she said she saw the man again.

"She said she didn't know where he came from," Boone said.  "He ran up to her and held a gun to her head.  He told her he was going to rob her and rape her, too."

Police say the woman was dragged behind a home where the assault took place.

Sparkle Russell lives near the site of the attack.

"It's hurtful and shocking, because I am a woman," Russell said. "The fact that it was here in our yard... it could have happened to us just taking the garbage out."

"The lady was coming from church," Boone said. "She was serving God. Nobody got no business raping her."

The victim is said to be recovering; Boone said she is scared to stay at home.

"He really needs to be off of the street," Boone said.

Franklin police are asking anyone for information on the case to call Franklin Crime Solvers at 757-562-8599.