A heated argument about a foggy bus window turned deadly in Seattle when a passenger attacked and killed the driver, only to be caught days later casually napping on another bus, according to police.
Richard Sitzlack, 53, now faces a second-degree murder charge for the stabbing of Shawn Yim, a 59-year-old King County Metro bus driver, last Wednesday. The tragic incident unfolded on Route 70 near 15th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 41st Street in Seattle’s University District.
The trouble began when Yim tried to keep a window open to prevent the bus from fogging up. Sitzlack reportedly wanted the window shut, sparking a confrontation. According to charging documents, Sitzlack began speaking harshly to Yim, then maced him, kicked him between the legs, and ran off the bus.
Yim, showing remarkable bravery, called 911 and followed Sitzlack, urging police to respond quickly. “I need a police officer here at UW, U-District, Campus Parkway. Please, I just got assaulted,” he said in the 911 call transcript. “Hurry, please. He’s fleeing.”
Surveillance footage captured what happened next. As Yim followed him, Sitzlack suddenly turned around and attacked. The two wrestled, and Yim’s desperate voice could be heard on the call: “I’ve been stabbed, I’ve been stabbed. Hurry, please. I’m dying right now.”
Tragically, the injuries were fatal. Authorities say Sitzlack stabbed Yim with such force that it severed an artery and punctured his lungs, killing him on the spot. Police later found a bloody knife and a knife sheath in a nearby garbage can.
Investigators pieced together Sitzlack’s identity after a witness from the bus said they had seen him earlier at Tent City 3, a local homeless camp. A search of the camp’s records uncovered a photo of Sitzlack’s driver’s license, and the witness confirmed his identity. Police quickly issued a public alert with his photos, sharing them with other drivers and passengers.
The breakthrough came early Saturday when a Metro driver spotted Sitzlack snoozing at the back of another bus near 3rd Avenue South and South Main Street. The driver alerted police, who surrounded the bus and arrested Sitzlack without incident.
During questioning, Sitzlack admitted to fighting with Yim, reportedly saying something like, “I’m sorry for what I did.” He also pointed out injuries on his hands, claiming they were from the struggle with the bus driver.
This wasn’t Sitzlack’s first brush with violence. In 2023, he was linked to the fatal stabbing of his roommate, which happened just a mile from where Yim was killed. He claimed self-defense in that case and was never charged.
Yim’s tragic death marks the first killing of a Metro driver on the job in Seattle in 26 years. The city is mourning the loss of a dedicated public servant, with a candlelight vigil held Saturday night to honor him. Seattle Councilmember Rob Saka promised to push for stronger safety measures for bus drivers and passengers alike.
“This should never have happened,” Saka said. “I’ll work with our regional partners to ensure better security on public transit for everyone.”
