Inset: James Richburg (BPD). Background: The bus where Richburg killed a man after bumping into him last year (WBAL).
A 61-year-old man from Maryland could face a life sentence after being convicted for killing a passenger on an MTA bus. The incident occurred when the victim, William Womack, refused to apologize after accidentally bumping into the man. On Friday, a jury in Baltimore found James Richburg guilty of second-degree murder, using a firearm during a violent crime, and possessing a firearm illegally in connection with the death of 30-year-old Womack last year.
According to the Baltimore Police Department, at 2 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2024, patrol officers with the department’s Central District responded to a report of a shooting on the block of South Eutaw Street. Upon arriving at the scene, first responders said they found an unknown adult male — later identified as Womack — suffering from at least one apparent gunshot wound.
He was transported to a local hospital for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
Following an investigation, authorities said they identified Richburg as Womack’s assailant, saying he shot the victim “following a dispute.” Authorities on Dec. 9, 2024, located Richburg riding an MTA bus in the 1600 block of North Fulton Avenue, where he was taken into custody without incident and transported to Baltimore’s Central Booking and Intake Center for processing.
Court documents obtained by Baltimore ABC affiliate WMAR reportedly state that just prior to the fatal encounter, Richburg and Womack were riding on an MTA bus when Womack bumped into Richburg without apologizing as he was departing the vehicle.
The two men argued and Womack reentered the bus, which is when Richburg reportedly opened fire, causing Womack to collapse. Richburg, who was previously convicted of felony robbery and felony firearms possession, fled the scene on foot but was identified by numerous witnesses.
During the trial, Richburg’s defense attorney argued that his client acted in self-defense after being bumped by Womack, despite the fact that Womack was unarmed.
“Mr. Womack, he has committed a battery under the laws of the state of Maryland,” he said, according to courtroom reporting from local NBC affiliate WBAL. “Mr. Womack continues to harangue and harass Mr. Richburg. Mr. Richburg’s fight or flight instinct was already heightened because he was on the bus.”
Prosecutors told jurors that Richburg fired the gun at Womack “from near-point-blank range” into the victim’s chest after security camera footage from inside the bus showed Womack appear to accidentally bump into Richburg while bending down to pick up a bottle he had dropped. Richburg became upset because Womack refused to say “excuse me” or apologize.
Before the shooting, Richburg was even heard telling Womack, “I’m not going to let you live,” per the report. The defense said that the statement was just Richburg “trying to warn Mr. Womack off” because the victim was “continuing to threaten and harangue” him.
Richburg is currently scheduled to appear in court again for his sentencing hearing on Nov. 10, records show.
