Flashing police motorcycle lights marked the entrance of a somber bus procession into Seattle on Friday, to pay tribute to King County Metro driver Shawn Yim, who was stabbed to death while working on December 18. About 30 mourners lined the Yesler Way bridge in Pioneer Square as the procession passed.
The memorial featured more than 100 cars, most of which were buses from Washington, Oregon, and Canada. They drove down Fourth Avenue, displaying messages such as “Remembering Shawn Yim,” “Transit Strong,” and Yim’s ID number, 21882. Throughout the entire route, drivers and pedestrians joined hands and waved in solidarity while firefighters from Station 10 saluted.
Former bus driver Steven Hooper attended the service, thinking about the perils transit operators face. “One of Yim’s passengers stabbing him to death is emblematic of broader crises—mental illness, addiction, and homelessness,” Hooper said.
The tragic incident happened in the early hours of December 18. Prosecutors say that 53-year-old Richard Sitzlack stabbed Yim several times after a fight over an open window got out of hand. Even though Yim was pepper-sprayed and beaten, he still dared to call 911 before the killing.
Colleagues and community members will remember Yim for his commitment to public service and friendly interactions with passengers. The death underscores the need for safety measures for the transit operators.
The procession and memorial united a grieving community in honoring Yim’s legacy and calling for solutions to protect those who serve the public.
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