Witness describes deadly Seattle Metro bus stabbing

Witness describes deadly Seattle bus attack

FOX 13 Seattle spoke with a witness who was on the bus when a driver was stabbed to death in Seattle's University District.

SEATTLE - There was only one other person riding the Metro bus when the driver, Shawn Yim, was stabbed to death by a suspect near the University of Washington early Wednesday morning. Now, we are hearing from that witness.

At around 3 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18, officers responded to a stabbing just a block west of Parrington Lawn at UW. They found 59-year-old Yim suffering from stab wounds to the chest. Police and other medical personnel provided aid, but he died at the scene.

There was only one other person riding the Metro bus when the driver, Shawn Yim, was stabbed to death by a suspect near the University of Washington early Wednesday morning. Now, we are hearing from that witness. At around 3 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18, officers responded to a stabbing just a block west of Parrington Lawn at UW. They found 59-year-old Yim suffering from stab wounds to the chest. Police and other medical personnel provided aid, but he died at the scene. The witness, who asked that we refrain from sharing his name and photo, reached out to FOX 13 on Thursday morning to share his side of the story: that the bus driver did everything he could to deescalate the situation before the fatal stabbing. According to the witness, the suspect, identified as 53-year-old Richard Sitzlack, and the driver got into an argument over an open window on the bus. Eventually, the suspect pepper-sprayed the driver, and they both got off the bus. "I didn't know what to do," the witness told FOX 13. "It was one of those situations where my brain is just like, I want to go to work. That's where my mind was, and … this can't be life." The witness told FOX 13 he has not been able to sleep at night since the stabbing. He was on the phone with 911 when he found Yim on the ground, where he later died.

(File / FOX 13)

The witness, who asked that we refrain from sharing their name and photo, reached out to FOX 13 on Thursday morning to share their side of the story: that the bus driver did everything he could to deescalate the situation before the fatal stabbing.

According to the witness, the suspect, identified as 53-year-old Richard Sitzlack, and the driver got into an argument over an open window on the bus.

Eventually, the suspect pepper-sprayed the driver, and they both got off the bus. The witness said the bus driver never got physical with the suspect and was only trying to do what seemed right and according to policy.

Police are investigating after a bus driver was stabbed to death in Seattle’s University District Wednesday morning. According to the Seattle Police Department (SPD), just before 3:00 a.m., officers responded to reports of a stabbing near the intersection of Northeast 41st Street and 15th Avenue Northeast. This area is just a block west of the University of Washington’s Parrington lawn. When officers arrived, they found a 59-year-old man, A King County Metro Coach driver, suffering from stab wounds to the chest. Police and other first responders provided medical aid, but the victim died at the scene. The SPD has determined that an adult male passenger got into a physical altercation with the driver at the intersection. After being stabbed, the victim walked a short distance from the bus before collapsing from his injuries. The SPD and King County Sheriff’s deputies searched for the suspect using K9’s, but they were unsuccessful. The SPD’s Homicide and Crime Scene Investigation Unit are processing the scene. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or the SPD’s Violent Crime Tip Line at 206-233-5000. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. photo of metro bus where bus driver was stabbed

"I didn't know what to do," the witness told FOX 13. "It was one of those situations where my brain is just like, I want to go to work. That's where my mind was, and when everything started, it's just like, oh no, no, no this can't be life."

The witness eventually got off the bus to find the bus driver in an alley. He was on the phone with 911 when he found Yim on the ground.

"I looked over to my left, bus driver is on the ground," said the witness. "Stunned. Gone. There was nothing. I went over to his body, and I'm crying hysterically because I see he's gone. His mouth is open, I called for him twice with dispatch on the phone. There was nothing. I wanted to touch him to help. He was gone."

The witness told FOX 13 he has not been able to sleep at night since the stabbing.

Police identify Seattle Metro bus stabbing suspect

On Thursday, the Seattle Police Department identified the suspect as 53-year-old Richard Sitzlack.

WANTED for MURDER: Richard Sitzlack 53-year-old white male with brown eyes, brown hair, 6’5

Police identify 53-year-old Richard Sitzlack in deadly Seattle bus driver stabbing. (Seattle Police Department)

He is described to have brown eyes, brown hair is 6 feet 5 inches tall weighing 195 pounds. He was last seen wearing a navy-blue hooded sweatshirt, dark gray/blue jacket, black beanie, yellow backpack, blue camouflage pants, dark sneakers with white soles, carrying a red shopping bag.

Police said Sitzlack frequents the University District and Downtown Seattle.

Seattle police said Richard Sitzlack, 53, as last seen wearing a navy-blue hooded sweatshirt, dark gray/blue jacket, black beanie, yellow backpack, blue camouflage pants, dark sneakers with white soles, carrying a red shopping bag. (Seattle Police Department)

Seattle police said anyone who sees Sitzlack should not approach him because he is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Seattle Police Department's Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.