WHITE CENTER, Wash. — Prosecutors said Wednesday they have charged the suspect accused of shooting and killing a 21-year-old on a King County Metro bus near White Center in October.
Miguel Rivera Dominguez, 17, was charged with first-degree murder and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. Dominguez has not been found, but prosecutors asked the court to hold the defendant on a $3 million bail when he is arrested.
Detectives believe Dominguez killed Marcel Da’jon Wagner, 21, on board a King County Metro bus on Oct. 3 near Southwest Roxbury Street and 15th Avenue Southwest. Wagner died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office.
According to charging documents, police said Dominguez got on the bus just before 4:50 p.m. He was on the bus for about 15 minutes when he pulled the "stop" lever, signaling to the driver to stop. When the bus stopped, Dominguez allegedly fired five rounds from "point blank range" into Wagner's head and neck, according to charging documents.
"The steps the defendant took to conceal his identity and his calculated actions on the bus underscore the planned and deliberate nature of this crime," prosecutors said in charging documents.
Police said Dominguez had not interacted with Wagner, who appeared to be asleep, during the ride. There were about 15 other passengers on board the bus at the time of the shooting, according to police. The transit operator and other passengers were not injured.
King County Metro said the operator followed protocol after the shooting by pulling the bus over, opening the doors and calling for help.
Detectives identified Dominguez as the suspect on Oct. 16, almost two weeks after the deadly shooting.
"We don't know of any ties between the victim and the suspect," said Cory Stanton, captain with the King County Sheriff's Office. "We consider him armed and dangerous. Our detectives have worked tirelessly day and night to try and locate Mr. Dominguez but now we are asking for the public's help in order to find him."
Investigators said Dominguez has strong ties to the Burien area. He is known to use public transportation or seek rides from others. Detectives believe Dominguez may be wearing a mask to conceal his identity.
Dominguez is considered armed and extremely dangerous, according to the sheriff’s office.
King County Metro said in a statement that it added security on the H Line for the foreseeable future. The agency expanding the number of transit security officers that patrol buses and transit centers.