CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Bus-driver murder suspect Richard Sitzlack arrested

5:34 AM: Minutes ago, Seattle Police announced that they’ve arrested Richard Sitzlack, suspected of stabbing Metro bus driver Shawn Yim to death Wednesday in the U District. No other details on the arrest yet, and he’s not yet on the King County Jail roster. Police had put out a bulletin for him on Thursday.

9:49 AM: SPD Blotter has since added:

Seattle Police officers were flagged down by a King County Metro driver near 3rd Avenue South and South Main Street, who informed them that Richard Sitzlack was believed to be on board. Police could see him asleep in the back of the bus.

Additional patrol officers were dispatched to the area, and he was arrested at 4:51 a.m. this morning.

Sitzlack was transported to Seattle Police Headquarters and interviewed by Homicide detectives. He will be booked into King County Jail for Investigation of Murder.

2:11 PM: More info has since come in from SPD and prosecutors. First – SPD has provided this video of the arrest on board a bus. Second, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says he’s not expected in court before Monday, but because a person can’t be held more than 48 hours without a determination of probable cause, a judge will make that decision sooner. The KCPAO notes that he was booked into jail at 9:43 am, about five hours post-arrest, and that Thursday (December 26) is the deadline for charges to be filed, assuming a judge decides today there’s probable cause to keep holding him.

12 Replies to "CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Bus-driver murder suspect Richard Sitzlack arrested"

  • Jess December 21, 2024 (8:13 am)

    Thank the lord. I hope he rots in there!! Its unfortunate that he’ll be funded by our taxpayer dollars. 

  • Tricia December 21, 2024 (9:43 am)

    From UW:

    UW Alert Seattle

    UPDATE 9:20 a.m. Dec. 21: Seattle police officers have arrested the suspect being sought in connection with the Dec. 18 death of a King County Metro coach driver. Officers were flagged down early this morning by a King County Metro driver near 3rd Avenue South and South Main Street in Seattle, who informed them that stabbing suspect Richard Sitzlack was believed to be on board. Police could see him asleep in the back of the bus. Additional patrol officers were dispatched to the area, and he was arrested at 4:51 a.m. today.Sitzlack was transported to Seattle police headquarters and interviewed by homicide detectives. He will be booked into King County Jail for investigation of murder.For more information, please visit: https://emergency.uw.edu/2024/12/18/uw-alert-13/

    • WSB December 21, 2024 (9:47 am)

      Thanks, somebody forwarded that to me and it appears SPD Blotter has the summary too, adding (was NOT updated when I published this).

  • Alki resident December 21, 2024 (10:02 am)

    Hard to believe he’d go back on a bus and then get arrested but then again. Can’t stop thinking about the bus driver and his family. 

  • LL December 21, 2024 (10:22 am)

    We were having dinner at Zeeks on 5th and Cedar last night before going to watch the Nutcracker at McCaw Hall.  We saw him standing right outside of the restaurant.  I was VERY impressed how quickly SPD responded to my 911 call and how thorough they were with questioning of what we saw. Multiple cars/officers showed up within minutes. Crazy and unfortunate that it took several more hours to locate him.  Thankfully, he’s in custody.  Good job SPD!! 

    • Alki resident December 21, 2024 (1:26 pm)

      LL thank you for being so observant. That had to have been a surreal moment. You may have saved some lives. 

    • Bill#1 December 21, 2024 (3:45 pm)

      So! — Do you have any idea WHY he wasn’t arrested — at THAT time! — Seems like they left him back on the streets/buses for another 10 or so hours!

      • CAM December 22, 2024 (9:44 pm)

        Bill – One can easily infer that he wasn’t there anymore when the police arrived from the story. 

  • rose December 21, 2024 (10:39 am)

    Glad to hear this. Hoping all Metro drivers have a safe day!

  • Mike D December 21, 2024 (10:50 am)

    Thank you Metro bus Operators for doing what you do day in and day out, and all night as well.  Major kudos to the Operator who spotted this man and was able to get a response from law enforcement to arrest him. This is a big step in seeking justice for slain Operator Shawn Yim and his family, coworkers and friends.

  • k December 21, 2024 (12:46 pm)

    King County Jail Roster shows he was booked at 4:39 this morning at the downtown jail, on Investigation for Homicide.  

    • WSB December 21, 2024 (2:08 pm)

      No, he wasn’t BOOKED (officially jailed) at 4:39 am. That was the arrest time (officially arrested by officers; see the jail docket). He was booked hours later, after questioning. More SPD and prosecutor info has since been provided so I’ll be updating again above. – TR

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