Oklahoma – In a shocking incident in Oklahoma, a 42-year-old man, identified as R. Rhoades, has been charged after launching a brutal and unprovoked attack aboard a city bus against a 43-year-old woman, whose identity hasn’t been revealed. Authorities say Rhoades is now facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon and false impersonation following the harrowing episode, which left the woman hospitalized in critical condition. In addition to those charges, Rhoades is being held on an out-of-state warrant as a fugitive from justice in Missouri. Officials confirmed that he remains in custody at the county jail without bond.
Shortly before 1 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon, passengers at a bus stop watched as two individuals—Rhoades and the unnamed woman—climbed aboard a city bus. There was no indication that anything was amiss. Witnesses, including the driver, said the two never spoke and had no prior interaction. Rhoades took a seat directly behind the woman. Everything remained calm as the bus continued its route. But the calm shattered when the vehicle reached the main station. Without warning, Rhoades put his arm around the woman’s neck from behind and slashed her throat. The attack was so severe that detectives from the police department’s homicide unit were immediately dispatched to the scene. Stunned passengers watched as Rhoades exited the bus and walked away, leaving his victim bleeding behind him.
Officers who were already in the vicinity received witness reports describing the suspect and his direction of travel. Bicycle patrol officers quickly began canvassing nearby streets. Within minutes, they located Rhoades just a few blocks away from the crime scene. He was taken into custody without incident. According to police reports, his clothes were soaked in blood, and a blood-covered knife was found in his pocket. The woman, critically wounded, was rushed to a local hospital. Doctors acted swiftly, performing emergency surgery in an attempt to save her life. While her identity has not been released, authorities later confirmed she had been stabilized. Medical staff remain “hopeful” that she will fully recover from the attack.
The apparent randomness of the violence has disturbed both the public and investigators. Police have confirmed that Rhoades and the woman were strangers, and there were no signs of a prior dispute. With no verbal exchange between them, officials described the assault as “unprovoked.” A motive remains elusive. Police are now reviewing security footage from a camera installed inside the bus, which could provide more clarity on the moments leading up to the assault. Until then, authorities are relying on eyewitness statements and physical evidence recovered at the scene and during Rhoades’ arrest.
As of now, Rhoades has not entered a plea, and the date of his first court appearance has yet to be confirmed. He remains held without bail, with serious charges hanging over him. The community, meanwhile, is left to grapple with the chilling realization that a routine bus ride nearly turned fatal without warning or reason.
