Washington Man Sentenced in Federal Hate Crime Case After Violent Stabbing Attack on Black Woman Riding Metro Bus

WASHINGTON — A Washington state man has been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to a racially motivated hate crime involving the violent assault and stabbing of a Black woman aboard a King County Metro bus in 2024, according to federal authorities.

The Department of Justice announced that Adan Hernandez-Mayoral was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release after admitting to a hate crime causing bodily injury involving the use of a dangerous weapon.

Federal prosecutors stated the attack occurred on March 7, 2024, after Hernandez-Mayoral boarded a King County Metro bus and immediately began making racially charged remarks targeting Black passengers.

According to court records, Hernandez-Mayoral verbally antagonized the victim, a Black woman riding the bus, while directing racial slurs and hostile comments toward her. Federal authorities stated Hernandez-Mayoral openly declared his hatred toward Black people and repeatedly targeted the victim with racially charged harassment while onboard the public transit vehicle.

Investigators stated Hernandez-Mayoral referred to the victim as “Rosa Parks” and ordered her to move toward the back of the bus. When the victim attempted to distance herself from the escalating confrontation, Hernandez-Mayoral allegedly followed her through the bus while concealing a knife behind his back.

Federal authorities stated the violence escalated when the bus stopped and the doors opened. Prosecutors said Hernandez-Mayoral grabbed the victim, shoved her off the bus into a nearby fence, and launched a sustained physical assault involving punches, stomping, and repeated stabbing attacks.

According to federal officials, Hernandez-Mayoral repeatedly stabbed the victim with a knife during the attack. Authorities stated the victim’s thick winter coat likely prevented even more catastrophic or fatal injuries during the assault.

The defendant fled the area following the attack but was later located and arrested by officers from the Kent Police Department the same evening.

Federal prosecutors stated the case represents one of the more severe recent examples of racially motivated violence connected to public transportation systems in the region.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division stated hate-fueled assaults targeting individuals because of race create fear within communities and undermine public confidence in public spaces and transit systems.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd for the Western District of Washington stated racially motivated violence continues to receive aggressive prosecutorial attention from federal authorities and local law enforcement partners.

FBI Seattle Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Herrington stated the victim had simply been using public transportation when she was subjected to racially motivated harassment and a violent knife attack by a stranger.

Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla described the assault as a horrific racially motivated act of violence targeting an innocent member of the community because of the color of her skin.

Federal authorities stated Hernandez-Mayoral pleaded guilty on Dec. 23, 2025, to Hate Crime Causing Bodily Injury.

The investigation was conducted by the Kent Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica M. Manca for the Western District of Washington and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, with assistance from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Federal hate crime statutes allow enhanced prosecution when violent criminal acts are committed because of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other federally protected characteristics. Authorities continue emphasizing that racially motivated violence remains a federal civil rights enforcement priority nationwide.

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