James Richburg is an American man who was convicted of second‑degree murder and related firearms offenses for the fatal shooting of William Womack on a Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) bus in downtown Baltimore in late 2024.
Background and incident
- The shooting occurred on December 1, 2024, at the intersection of Utah and Redwood Streets while the victims were riding an MTA bus.
- According to police and court evidence, Womack, a 30‑year‑old passenger, allegedly bumped into Richburg after dropping and picking up a bottle, and refused to apologize. A verbal dispute ensued, after which Richburg left the bus, returned, and fired a near‑point‑blank shot into Womack’s chest, causing his death【1†L1-L9】【1†L24-L33】.
Legal proceedings
- Richburg, then aged 62, was arrested on December 9, 2024. He faced charges of second‑degree murder, use of a firearm in a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person due to a prior conviction.
- During the trial, Richburg claimed self‑defense, asserting that he feared for his safety, but the prosecution presented surveillance video showing the sequence of events and argued that the victim was unarmed.
- In August 2025, a Baltimore jury found Richburg guilty on all counts, convicting him of second‑degree murder and two firearms charges【1†L1-L4】【1†L11-L14】.
Sentencing
- At a sentencing hearing scheduled for November 10, 2025, Richburg faced a potential prison term of up to 75 years, reflecting the seriousness of the homicide and the firearm violations.
Public and official response
- Victim’s family members expressed relief and a sense of justice following the conviction.
- Baltimore city officials and the MTA condemned the act of violence, emphasizing the need to address gun violence as both a public safety and public‑health issue.
Status
As of the latest available reports (August 2025), Richburg remains incarcerated pending sentencing.
Note: Information is based on contemporary news coverage from local Baltimore media outlets, including WBAL‑TV and CBS News.