Man Sat Behind Woman on Bus Before Brutally Killing Her in Unprovoked Attack

A 42-year-old man in Tulsa has been arrested after allegedly slashing a woman’s throat in what police are calling a completely unprovoked and brutal attack aboard a city bus.

Robert J. Rhoades was taken into custody over the weekend and charged with assault with a deadly weapon and false impersonation, the Tulsa Police Department confirmed in a statement.

The terrifying incident unfolded around 1:09 p.m. on Sunday at a bus station on the 300 block of S. Cheyenne Avenue. Witnesses, including the bus driver, told police that Rhoades and the 43-year-old female victim had boarded the bus together earlier at a Walmart stop on 81st and Lewis. They reportedly had no interaction — verbal or otherwise — before the attack.

As the bus pulled into the downtown station, police say Rhoades, who had been sitting directly behind the woman, suddenly reached forward and slashed her throat with a knife before fleeing the scene on foot.

Nearby officers were alerted by witnesses and given a direction of travel. Bike patrol units quickly located Rhoades at 100 S. Denver Avenue. He was taken into custody without incident.

When searched, officers reportedly found a bloody knife in Rhoades’ pocket, and there was visible blood on his clothing.

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital where she underwent emergency surgery. Doctors say she is now in stable condition and are “hopeful” she will fully recover, though her injuries were severe enough that homicide detectives were initially called in.

Tulsa Police are currently reviewing surveillance footage from inside the bus as part of their investigation.

In addition to the current charges, Rhoades is also being held on a fugitive from justice warrant out of Missouri. Jail records show he remains in custody at the Tulsa County Jail without bond.

A court date for his first appearance has not yet been set.