BALTIMORE, MD – A Baltimore jury has found a 61-year-old man guilty in connection with the fatal shooting of a fellow passenger aboard a city bus, a crime that unfolded over a heated dispute sparked by an accidental bump and an unoffered apology.
James Richburg was convicted Friday on charges of second-degree murder, use of a firearm in a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The verdict came nearly a year after the death of 30-year-old William Womack, whose life ended tragically on a public transit bus last November.
The incident began around 2 p.m. on November 30, 2024, when Baltimore police officers responded to reports of a shooting on South Eutaw Street. Upon arrival, emergency personnel found Womack suffering from a gunshot wound. He was rushed to a hospital but died soon after.
Investigators determined that Womack and Richburg had both been passengers on a Maryland Transit Administration bus just before the shooting. Witnesses told authorities that as Womack was departing the bus, he unintentionally brushed against Richburg without apologizing, then returned to the vehicle.
What started as a minor incident quickly escalated. According to surveillance footage examined during the trial, Richburg and Womack began arguing. The confrontation turned deadly when Richburg, upset by the perceived slight, drew a firearm and shot Womack at close range. Witnesses reported that after the shooting, Richburg fled the scene on foot.
Authorities identified Richburg as the suspect after gathering evidence and witness statements. On December 9, 2024—nine days after the shooting—Richburg was located on another bus on North Fulton Avenue. Police arrested him without incident and transported him to the Central Booking and Intake Center.
Court documents revealed that Richburg had prior felony convictions for robbery and illegal firearms possession, prohibiting him from carrying a weapon. Witnesses told investigators that Richburg’s anger was fueled by Womack’s refusal to apologize for the accidental contact, further inflaming the altercation.
During the trial, Richburg’s defense attorney argued that his client believed he was acting in self-defense, claiming the events provoked Richburg’s heightened “fight or flight” response. The attorney maintained that Womack’s actions constituted a battery under state law and that Richburg felt threatened.
Prosecutors, however, asserted that Womack was unarmed and there was no justification for the use of deadly force. They highlighted evidence from bus security cameras and statements indicating that Richburg threatened Womack before firing, including reportedly telling him, “I’m not going to let you live.”
Jurors sided with prosecutors, returning a guilty verdict on all counts. Richburg now awaits sentencing, which is scheduled for November 10. Given the severity of the charges and his past criminal record, he faces the prospect of spending the rest of his life incarcerated.
The case underscores the consequences of armed violence and the potential for routine disputes to spiral into lethal encounters, especially when firearms are involved.
According to officials, there were multiple witnesses who corroborated the chain of events and helped identify Richburg as the assailant, contributing to the swift resolution of the investigation.