What was most likely expected to be a regular bus ride in Baltimore turned into tragedy for what some are calling completely “senseless” after a dispute between two Black men. Now, the shooter has been convicted of the unthinkable.
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William Womack, 30, was riding an MTA bus when he, according to authorities, accidentally bumped into James Richburg while bending down to pick up a bottle he had dropped while exiting on Nov. 30, 2024. The two men began to argue and Richburg became irate because Womack allegedly refused to say “excuse me” or apologize. Per Law & Crime, Richburg was heard telling Womack, “I’m not going to let you live.”
When Womack reentered the bus, Richburg opened fire on him “from near-point-blank range” into his chest, causing Womack to collapse. Womack was taken to a hospital where he died from his injuries. Richburg, then 61, fled from the scene.
Tamika Johnson, Womack’s mother, said her only son left her house to buy shoes for his daughters just a couple of hours before he was slain.
Following an investigation, Richburg was identified and on Dec. 9, he was found riding an MTA bus on the 1600 block of North Fulton Avenue where he was arrested without incident.
During trial, Richburg’s defense argued that his client acted in self-defense after Womack bumped into him, despite the fact that Womack was unarmed. A Baltimore jury on Friday (Aug. 8) found Richburg guilty on one count each of second-degree murder, use of a firearm in a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Per court records, Richburg is currently scheduled to appear in court again for his sentencing on Nov. 10.
“That’s my only son,” Johnson told 11 News last December. “The thing is, I’ll never see him again because of something so senseless. It’s hard going day by day knowing that I’ll never see my son again.”
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