EXCLUSIVE: Homeless man accused of fatally stabbing Seattle bus driver previously arrested for homicide

Seattle Police released the identity of the suspect they believe is responsible for the fatal stabbing of a King County Metro bus driver on Wednesday. Richard Sitzlack, 53, a violent homeless man with multiple prior convictions, is now wanted for murder. Sitzlack was described by authorities as a 6'5" white male with brown eyes and hair, weighing 195 pounds.

Seattle Police detectives requested public aid in locating Sitzlack, advising citizens to contact 911 and not approach him if they see him. Authorities believe he is "armed and dangerous" and that he frequents the University District and downtown Seattle.

According to the police report, Sitzlack "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."

On Wednesday morning, King County Metro Coach driver Shawn Yim, 59, was stabbed to death while driving the bus near the University of Washington, police said. Yim served 7 years with the agency. The fatal knife attack occurred less than 48 hours after King County Metro announced the closure of several bus stops in the Chinatown International District due to safety concerns for drivers and riders.

Police were dispatched to the scene of the reported stabbing near the 4100 block of University Way Northeast around 3:00 am on Dec. 18. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male with a stab wound to the chest. The victim died at the scene. First responders attempted to render life-saving care but to no avail, police documents show.

Officers found Yim in an alley behind a Wells Fargo bank and believe he exited the bus after a physical altercation with Sitzlack, investigators said.

Court records show that Sitzlack has a history of prior arrests and convictions for violent crimes. On Nov. 2, 2023, Sitzlack was arrested on felony homicide charges. He called 911 to report that he had stabbed his roommate after the roommate allegedly threatened to hit him with an ottoman. Seattle Police arrested Sitzlack and he was booked into King County Jail. Prosecutors found probable cause to hold him behind bars, but because Seattle homicide detectives failed to file a rush charging decision, Sitzlack was released by Judge Rebecca Roberston 72 hours later. 

Investigators and prosecutors have been unable to find direct proof that Sitzlack was not acting in self-defense, therefore, he has not yet been charged with murder in that case. However, the case remains open. Siztlack has also been convicted of assault and unlawful use of a weapon to intimidate another stemming from a Dec. 4, 2012, incident in King County, according to court records.

Data shows that there has been a more than 80 percent increase in attacks on transit drivers and a more than 53 percent increase in passenger assaults on Seattle's light rail since 2023. King County Metro shut down the bus stops in Chinatown-ID this week over widespread illicit activity. The region has gained notoriety for the sale of stolen products, open-air drug use, and the sale of drugs. Additionally, it was the site of a recent mass stabbing.