A Maryland man, aged 61, faces a potential life sentence after being found guilty of fatally shooting a fellow passenger on a Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) bus. The incident occurred after the victim allegedly bumped into the man and failed to apologize. The Baltimore jury convicted James Richburg on Friday on charges of second-degree murder, use of a firearm in a violent crime, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The charges stem from the 2024 killing of 30-year-old William Womack.
The Baltimore Police Department reported that on November 30, 2024, at 2 p.m., patrol officers from the department’s Central District responded to a shooting report on South Eutaw Street. Upon arrival, first responders discovered an unidentified adult male, later identified as Womack, suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Womack was rushed to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Following an investigation, authorities identified Richburg as the assailant. They stated that Richburg shot Womack after a disagreement. On December 9, 2024, police located Richburg on an MTA bus on North Fulton Avenue. He was arrested without incident and transported to Baltimore’s Central Booking and Intake Center for processing.
Court documents, as reported by Baltimore ABC affiliate WMAR, reveal that the fatal encounter occurred shortly after Womack bumped into Richburg on the MTA bus. The two men argued, and Womack reentered the bus, at which point Richburg allegedly opened fire. Richburg, who had prior convictions for felony robbery and firearms possession, fled the scene but was later identified by several witnesses.
During the trial, Richburg’s defense attorney argued that his client acted in self-defense after being bumped by Womack, who was unarmed. The defense claimed that Womack had committed battery under Maryland law and continued to harass Richburg, triggering his fight or flight response.
However, prosecutors argued that Richburg shot Womack at close range in the chest after security camera footage from the bus showed Womack accidentally bumping into Richburg while picking up a dropped bottle. They claimed that Richburg became upset when Womack did not apologize. Prior to the shooting, Richburg was reportedly heard telling Womack, “I’m not going to let you live.” The defense argued that this was merely a warning to Womack, who they claimed was continuously threatening Richburg.
Richburg is scheduled to appear in court for his sentencing hearing on November 10.