Friday, November 7, 2025
A man with multiple outstanding warrants was arrested on Friday evening, May 16, after a brief standoff with Olympia Police Department officers on a parked bus in downtown.
Officers responded to a 911 call made on May 16 at 6:23 p.m. about a male wearing a black beanie and jacket brandishing a knife, cussing and yelling at passengers.
The suspect was later identified as John K. Tuttle, whose left arm was wrapped in a bloodied bandage. Tuttle later claimed the injury on his arm was from a machete attack days earlier.
Two witnesses said the suspect had become belligerent when asked to get off the bus.
Police safely evacuated passengers near the front of the bus. But four people remained trapped in the back, unable to leave without passing the armed man seated in the middle.
The 29-year-old suspect repeatedly refused to comply with calls for him to put the knife in his backpack and exit the bus, saying he refused to be taken to jail.
Instead, he allegedly threw the knife at one of the responding officers, narrowly missing him after the weapon bounced off the bus door.
At that point, authorities deployed a tactical plan, utilizing a ballistic shield to pin the suspect in his seat while officers moved in to subdue and restrain him. Despite resisting, Tuttle was subdued by the responding officers.
Authorities recovered the knife — a fixed-blade weapon with a 3-inch blade and black handle.
Due to his preexisting injury, the suspect was brought to the Capital Medical Center for medical clearance.
The suspect was then booked into Thurston County jail on multiple charges, including first-degree assault, felony harassment with threats of serious bodily harm, disorderly conduct and criminal trespass.
No injuries were reported among passengers or the responding officers.
7 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
SecondOtter
Any bets he's already been released on bail?
Tuesday, May 27 Report this
Boatyarddog
Why so Blatently spiteful @secondotter?
You never explain your resentments.. kind of like Other Trolls here that spout uninformed comments meant to harrass ..
WHO? The Court, Tunhiem? Or Evaluation Officals? Whats your beef?
Tuesday, May 27 Report this
jimlazar
The variety of skills that police officers have is impressive -- but they train relentlessly (at our expense) to build those skills.
But think about the skills that a bus driver must have to handle the (frequent) disagreeable passenger, and the (occasional) violent passenger.
Bus drivers make about half as much as police officers. But they need to thread a large vehicle through urban traffic, handle questions, be friendly, and be prepared for difficult situations.
Intercity Transit drivers are an extraordinary group. They serve us well. They are champions in their profession (at national bus rodeo competitions). And they do it with a smile.
Tuesday, May 27 Report this
JW
Don't worry, crazy knife-wielding felon, the Democrat judges have your back and will have you out soon. Maybe you'll actually be able to stab someone next time. Bonus points if it's a kid.
Wednesday, May 28 Report this
johnvaneenwyk
Where are the three billy-goats gruff now when we need them so badly?
Wednesday, May 28 Report this
Boatyarddog
@JW Political BS, So do you Know the status of this Offender? NO! No one needs Trumps MAGA lackies Stirring up S*** in his HATE FILLED AGENDA. STUPID Comment
Wednesday, May 28 Report this
Boatyarddog
JOHN K TUTTLE IS in Thurston county Jail, just look it up on the County Jail roster. Really a bunch of Pathtic Losers the Ugly truth is TRUMPS B.S. got you.
Now Jim Laxar has A Positive comment, however I don't think bus drivers even want that kind of training, and shouldn't risk their lives subduing anyone.
Wednesday, May 28 Report this