Photos released of man wanted for murder of Metro bus driver in Seattle

SEATTLE — The Seattle Police Department is asking for the public’s help locating a 53-year-old man wanted for fatally stabbing a King County Metro bus driver early Wednesday morning.

The department released two photos of the suspect, identified as 53-year-old Richard Sitzlack, Thursday morning. The SPD said Sitzlack is approximately 6-foot 5-inches tall, weighs 195 pounds and has brown eyes and brown hair.

Investigators said Sitzlack is known to frequent the University District and downtown Seattle. The SPD said not to approach Sitzlack and to call 911 immediately if seen.

Sitzlack is wanted for the murder of 59-year-old Shawn Yim, who was fatally stabbed while working his shift as a King County Metro bus driver around 3 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Yim was maced, then dragged from the bus and stabbed to death in an alley near University Way Northeast and Northeast 41st Street, according to police. The incident was captured on the bus cameras.

Hours after the murder, ATU 587 President Greg Woodfill called a press conference with leaders of King County Metro, the King County Council, and the Seattle City Council.

“We are not going to sit idly by while our members are murdered,” Woodfill said. “I don’t have all the answers, but I do know we need a more secure area for the transit operator, and we need more dedicated Metro transit police officers.”

Woodfill said the Union is now demanding secure compartments for drivers on buses, similar to trains, to protect them from assaults.

“The whole community needs to get involved, and I need the public to help me hold the leaders accountable and help me with this demand,” Woodfull said. “It is all going to be for not if our operators don’t feel safe operating a vehicle and our riders don’t feel safe to ride.”

Yim’s murder is the first time in 26 years that a Metro bus driver has been killed on the job. In November 1998, a passenger shot a driver in the head, causing the bus to drive off the Aurora Avenue bridge in Seattle.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.