A heated argument over a foggy window on a Seattle bus led to a tragic incident where the driver, Shawn Yim, was maced and fatally stabbed by a passenger, police said.
The suspect, 53-year-old Richard Sitzlack, was arrested days later while riding another bus and has been charged with second-degree murder... Continue reading here ▶
The incident happened last Wednesday on King County Metro’s Route 70 near 15th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 41st Street. According to charging documents, Yim, 59, kept a window open to prevent fogging, which sparked an argument with Sitzlack, who wanted it closed.
Sitzlack allegedly sprayed Yim with mace, kicked him, and fled the bus. Yim called 911, reporting the assault and requesting urgent assistance. Surveillance footage shows Sitzlack turning back, running toward Yim, and engaging in a violent struggle.
During the call, Yim told the dispatcher, “I’ve been stabbed, I’ve been stabbed, hurry please,” before succumbing to his injuries at the scene. Police said Yim’s wounds included a severed artery and punctured lungs.
Officers found a bloody knife and a knife sheath in a nearby garbage can. Investigators identified Sitzlack as the suspect after a witness from a homeless camp, Tent City 3, provided his name and photo from camp records. Police issued a manhunt, circulating Sitzlack’s photos to bus drivers and passengers.
On Saturday morning, a Metro bus driver spotted Sitzlack sleeping on a bus and alerted police. Officers arrested him without incident around 4:51 a.m.
Sitzlack later admitted to getting into a fight with Yim and said something like, “I’m sorry for what I did,” according to the police affidavit. He also acknowledged that his hand injuries were from the altercation.
This is not the first time Sitzlack has been linked to a fatal stabbing. In 2023, he was involved in the death of his roommate about a mile from the Yim incident. However, he claimed self-defense, and no charges were filed due to insufficient evidence to disprove his claim.
Yim’s death is the first killing of a Metro bus driver on duty in Seattle in 26 years. Seattle Councilmember Rob Saka expressed his condolences, saying a candlelight vigil was held to honor Yim. He pledged to work on improving public transit safety for drivers and riders, stating, “This should never have happened.”