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Seattle Bus Driver Fatally Stabbed; Suspect Arrested After Multi-Day Search

Richard Sitzlack, a homeless man with a history of violent offenses, was apprehended Saturday morning in connection with the killing of Metro driver Shawn Yim during an argument over a bus window.

  • Shawn Yim, a 59-year-old King County Metro driver, was fatally stabbed early Wednesday morning following an altercation with a passenger over a bus window on Route 70 in Seattle's University District.
  • The suspect, 53-year-old Richard Sitzlack, was arrested Saturday morning after being found asleep on a bus by another Metro driver who recognized him from a police alert.
  • Video footage captured the confrontation escalating, with Sitzlack pepper-spraying Yim, physically assaulting him, and ultimately stabbing him during a subsequent altercation outside the bus.
  • Sitzlack, who has a history of violent crimes, including a prior fatal stabbing, is being held at King County Jail and faces charges of second-degree murder and third-degree assault.
  • The incident has reignited calls from Metro workers and union leaders for increased safety measures for drivers, including protective compartments and a greater police presence on public transit.
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