UPDATE: Additional information that wasn’t available at the time of the original post: The assault did not occur on the bus, but rather at the bus stop at Rainier Avenue South/South Henderson. Two men were standing at the stop when they got into a confrontation with each other. At that moment, the Metro coach operator was coming back to his coach after using the restroom and stopped to speak to the two men before getting back on the bus. The suspect then turned his attention toward the driver and began assaulting him with his fists. During the assault the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed the driver several times. The other man was yelling for the suspect to stop, and the suspect then fled on foot. The witness called 911 and provided officers with a physical description of the suspect. Officers located the 35- year-old suspect near Renton Avenue S./S. Roxbury and took him into custody.
A suspect is in custody following a stabbing to a Metro bus operator last night in the Rainier Beach neighborhood.
At approximately 10:15 pm, officers and Seattle Fire responded to the 8800 block of Seward Park Avenue South for a reported stabbing. Witnesses stated that following the altercation between the driver and a passenger, the suspect fled on foot. Seattle Fire medics transported the victim to Harborview Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.
Officers immediately set up containment and called for a K9 team. However, before K9 arrived officers located the suspect near Renton Avenue South and South Roxbury. Witnesses positively identified the man as the correct suspect and he was taken into custody. The adult suspect was later booked into the King County Jail for investigation of assault.
Detectives will handle the follow up investigation.