Tragic Bus Ride Turns Deadly Over a Momentary Misstep

What began as an ordinary November 2024 commute in Maryland turned into an unimaginable tragedy when 30-year-old William Womack lost his life in an altercation that should never have escalated beyond words. Womack’s fatal encounter with 62-year-old James Richburg reportedly began over something as small as an accidental bump on a Maryland Transit Administration bus. Authorities say Womack allegedly brushed past Richburg without apologizing — a moment that sparked an argument that would end in devastating violence.

After the initial dispute, Womack briefly left but later reboarded the bus. Witnesses recalled that tension lingered between the two men. Then, in a horrifying twist, Richburg drew a firearm and delivered a fatal shot to Womack’s chest at close range. The young man was rushed to a hospital but could not be saved.

A Life Cut Short and a Family Left in Mourning

Those who knew William Womack describe him as a warm-hearted young man with a promising future — someone who did not deserve such a senseless end. Friends and family are struggling to comprehend how a minor, everyday misunderstanding could lead to a murder that has stolen their loved one forever.

Prosecutors say the killing was intentional, pointing to Richburg’s chilling words before firing the gun: “I’m not going to let you live.” Womack was unarmed, posing no immediate threat, making the loss even harder to bear. What should have been another day of ordinary life for him instead became the day his family and community lost a son, friend, and neighbor to senseless violence.

Justice in the Courtroom, But No Healing for the Heart

On August 14, 2025, Richburg was found guilty of second-degree murder and multiple firearm charges. His sentencing, set for November 2025, could see him imprisoned for up to 75 years. The conviction comes after a troubled history — Richburg had a 1996 felony robbery conviction and a 2021 firearm possession sentence — yet this act has left a deeper wound in the community than any past offense.

While the verdict provides a measure of justice, it cannot undo the pain or bring William back. For his family, each day is a reminder of the life he will never get to live — of milestones missed, conversations never had, and laughter now silenced. This case stands as a stark warning of how unchecked anger and easy access to firearms can turn the smallest disagreements into irreversible tragedies.

William Womack’s story will now live on as yet another reminder of the need for compassion, patience, and understanding in the moments when tempers flare — because sometimes, there is no second chance to walk away.