RICHBURG — The Lancaster man who allegedly raped a teenage girl and was later found dead Sunday night on a country road in Richburg went to the girl’s house, said he was taking her for a walk and assaulted her in the woods, according to police documents.

Police records show that sometime between 9 p.m. and 9:48 p.m., 39-year-old Michael Jermaine Terry went to visit the teenage girl, 16, at her Richburg home while her mother was at work. When he arrived, she was in the home with other children.

Officials on Thursday were unable to say who the children were or what kind of connection they had with the victim.

The police report states that Terry made the children stay at the home while he and the girl went for a walk outside. The police report states Terry and the girl knew each other.

The girl told police that Terry held onto her hand very tightly and wouldn’t let go. The report states that the teenager tried to pull away from Terry but he took her into the woods on the side of the road and assaulted her.

After Terry left, the girl returned to her home, called her mother and informed her about the assault, reports show.

Minutes later, deputies arrived at the home after the girl’s mother notified them of the assault. They found the girl’s clothes in the bathroom. The girl’s mother told deputies that Terry began walking down the road.

Minutes later, deputies found Terry lying in the road a half-mile from the home, covered in blood and not breathing.

Chester County Coroner Terry Tinker pronounced Terry dead at 10:07 p.m. Sunday. Tinker on Thursday said that Terry had been shot twice. A police report states Terry was shot at least once in his head.

Officials on Monday said they didn’t find any shell casings or weapons at or near the crime scene. Detectives have continued their investigation along with a search for suspects, Sheriff Richard Smith said.

Smith said investigators “have an idea” who may have shot Terry but he would not elaborate.

“We can’t say” until evidence from the homicide and sexual assault has been tested, Smith said.

Officials this week sent forensic and ballistic evidence to a lab operated by the State Law Enforcement Division.

“It’s a bad thing – tragic,” Smith said.

No witnesses or suspects have come forward with any information, Smith said. He emphasized “people have the right to be brought before a judge and a jury. That’s just our legal system.”

A day after learning about the crimes in their neighborhood, residents said they didn’t know exactly what happened Sunday night but some suspected something was going on after seeing flashing lights.

One neighbor, Tanya Collazo, said she heard a “loud bang” that sounded like it hit the side of her trailer. She went outside and didn’t see anything until emergency lights began to flash.

Another neighbor, Mary McClinton, said the girl would stay with her while she waited for her mother to get off work. McClinton and the girl would sit in McClinton’s living room and have talks, one of which included sharing excitement over the 16-year-old girl getting her learner’s driving permit.

Terry’s criminal history spans more than 20 years, including convictions for simple assault and battery, public disorderly conduct, drug and weapons possession, and copper theft. He was sentenced to three years’ probation for his most recent conviction, a nonviolent burglary in 2007.

Jonathan McFadden 803-329-4082