63-year-old James Richburg fatally shot 32-year-old William Womack on November 30, 2024
Baltimore, Md. (July 10, 2026) - Today, the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office announced that Defendant James Richburg was sentenced to 70 years of incarceration for the fatal shooting of 32-year-old William Womack in November of 2024 on an MTA bus. The Defendant was convicted of Second-Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence, and Illegal Possession of a Firearm. Assistant State’s Attorney Brent Weinberg prosecuted this case.
“Today’s sentence ensures that James Richburg will spend the rest of his life behind bars for the senseless murder of William Womack, whose life was stolen in a brazen act of violence in broad daylight on an MTA bus,” said Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates. “My office remains steadfast in our commitment to reducing gun violence, protecting our communities, and seeking justice for victims and their loved ones. I commend Assistant State’s Attorney Brent Weinberg and BPD’s homicide team for their dedication to securing this outcome and delivering justice for Mr. Womack and his family.”
On November 30, 2024, at approximately 1:00 p.m., at the intersection of Eutaw and Redwood streets, 32-year-old William Womack was attempting to get off an MTA bus when he dropped a Gatorade bottle near a single male suspect. An argument ensued, and Mr. Womack got off the bus. At that time, the male suspect can be heard yelling, “I won’t let you live,” causing Mr. Womack to get back on the bus and ask the suspect what he said. The suspect yelled, “I won’t let you live [expletive], you didn’t hear me?” while producing a firearm from his pants. He then approached Mr. Womack and shot him once in the chest, mere feet away from him. Both men then ran off the bus. Mr. Womack was pronounced deceased at the hospital from the gunshot wound. CCTV footage from the bus was preserved, and a still image of the suspect was broadcast to the public.
On December 2, 2024, Baltimore Police detectives obtained MTA records for the bus pass the suspect used to board the bus. Records revealed that the pass was used on other days. MTA footage was obtained at the time the bus pass was used, and it shows a man resembling the Defendant boarding the bus and using the pass. The suspect was ultimately identified as 63-year-old James Richburg.