Police: Man stabbed, seriously injured on bus by rider who accused him of sitting too close

SEATTLE -- A Metro bus passenger was stabbed and seriously injured in downtown Seattle Wednesday night by a fellow rider who complained he was sitting to close to him, police said.

The victim, a man, was rushed to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, police said. The Fire Department said he was in serious condition.

The victim boarded Metro route No. 132 and sat down next to the suspect in the back of the bus, police said.

"The suspect began to argue with the victim about how close he sat to him," the Seattle Police Department crime blotter said. "The suspect then pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim multiple times."

The bus driver stopped the bus at 3rd Avenue and Marion Street and the suspect fled on foot before officers could arrive, police said.



Seattle police officers and King County deputies were searching for the suspect, identified by police as a black man, about 40 years old, who was wearing a black coat, blue jeans and a black knit hat.

Seattle police said homicide detectives are working with King County Metro to collect any video evidence that may have been recorded on the bus.

Anyone with information in this case is asked to call the Seattle police homicide tip line at (206) 233-5000.