Seattle, WA– A tragic incident unfolded early Wednesday morning in Seattle’s University District when a King County Metro bus driver was fatally stabbed during an altercation with a passenger.
Seattle police received reports of a stabbing around 3 a.m. near the 4100 block of University Way Northeast. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found a 59-year-old man with stab wounds to the chest. Police provided immediate aid until medics from the Seattle Fire Department arrived, but the driver succumbed to his injuries.
Altercation Led to Stabbing
Investigators determined that an adult male passenger got into a dispute with the driver near 15th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 41st Street. Following the altercation, the driver exited the bus and walked a short distance before collapsing.
Law enforcement officials, including King County sheriff’s deputies and K-9 units, conducted an extensive search for the suspect but were unable to locate him. The assailant is described as a 6-foot-1 man wearing a blue jacket, according to University of Washington police.
Growing Safety Concerns on Public Transit
This fatal stabbing highlights the growing concern over violence on Seattle’s public transit system. In recent years, there has been an increase in incidents targeting both passengers and transit operators, especially since the pandemic.
In 2023, a man was stabbed 19 times at random on a light rail train near Othello Station. In another incident, a young man was fatally shot in a targeted attack aboard a bus in White Center. Just two days before Wednesday’s stabbing, Metro temporarily closed four bus stops at the intersection of 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street in Little Saigon, an area that saw nine stabbings in November.
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Rare but Tragic Deaths of Transit Operators
While violent assaults on bus drivers are not uncommon, fatalities remain rare. The last high-profile case involving a transit operator’s death in Seattle occurred on November 27, 1998. Mark McLaughlin, a Metro bus driver, was fatally shot by a passenger while driving on the Aurora Bridge. To this day, transit operators observe a moment of silence every Black Friday in his honor.
The increasing violence has prompted calls for better security measures to protect both passengers and drivers.
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Public Assistance Needed
Seattle police are urging anyone with information about Wednesday’s stabbing to come forward. Tips can be shared by calling the department’s violent crimes tip line at 206-233-5000.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the safety challenges facing public transit systems and the individuals who work tirelessly to serve their communities.
