Seattle police arrested a 25-year-old man late Tuesday night after he allegedly punched a Sound Transit bus driver during an incident in Downtown Seattle.
Officers responded around 10:50 p.m. to reports of an assault near 3rd Avenue and Stewart Street, where they found a 64-year-old bus driver visibly shaken and suffering from facial injuries.
According to police, the suspect attempted to board the bus but was denied entry after the driver recognized him from previous disturbances. The driver activated the safety barrier separating the passenger area. The suspect became agitated and punched the driver in the face, briefly exited the bus while posturing at the victim, then re-entered and struck the driver a second time before fleeing northbound on 3rd Avenue.
An analyst with the Seattle Police Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) reviewed nearby surveillance footage and captured images of the suspect, which were immediately shared with responding officers.
Police located and arrested the suspect a short time later near 3rd Avenue and Columbia Street. Multiple passengers confirmed witnessing the assault. The suspect was booked into the King County Jail on suspicion of third-degree assault.
Detectives with the Homicide and Assault Unit are investigating the case.
Incident Number: 2025-367205
Man arrested for punching bus driver; video captured by Real Time Crime Center:https://t.co/RT3XXlYHe6
— Seattle Police Department (@SeattlePD) December 16, 2025
