James Richburg, 61, has been found guilty of second-degree murder and other charges in connection with the fatal shooting of a passenger on an MTA bus. The incident, which occurred in 2024, resulted in the death of William Womack, who was shot after bumping into Richburg without apologizing.
Richburg was convicted of second-degree murder, use of a firearm in a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The charges stem from a violent encounter on S. Eutaw Street, where the two men exchanged words after Womack bumped into Richburg while exiting the bus, reports ABC affiliate WMAR.
According to charging documents, this minor confrontation escalated into an argument. Police reports state that after the initial altercation, Womack got back on the bus, and the argument continued. At this point, Richburg shot Womack. Witnesses on the bus helped identify Richburg as the shooter, and he fled the scene.
Womack collapsed shortly after being shot and later succumbed to his injuries. Richburg was arrested a short time later while riding an MTA bus. Authorities noted that he was a convicted felon, having been sentenced to five years in 2021 for firearms possession, from local NBC affiliate WBAL.
His criminal history also includes a 1996 robbery conviction. The jury’s verdict was handed down following a trial, and sentencing is scheduled for November 10.