Ricardo Rush

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

A DC man who pulled out a Uzi-style pistol on a crowded Metrobus and threatened to kill a family with two small children will spend years in prison, federal authorities announced.

According to the US Attorney’s Office, 29-year-old Ricardo Rush was sentenced to 60 months in prison after he threatened a man, woman, and their two young children during a violent outburst in March that was caught on camera.

Court documents say Rush boarded a WMATA bus shortly before 11:30 a.m. on the 300 block of Ridge Road SE. Four minutes later, the family boarded from the 4800 block of Texas Avenue SE, sitting in front of Rush, who began to harass them.

At about 11:32 a.m., prosecutors say Rush stood up, said “B--ch, sit down, this isn’t a toy,” and pointed a black pistol in the woman’s face.

The bus pulled over. Rush waved the gun and threatened to kill all four family members.

At 11:33 a.m., Rush stepped off the bus and pointed the weapon at the woman again. Two minutes later, Rush got back on the bus, pointed the gun at the man, threatened to kill both adults, and head-butted the man.

Rush fled moments later.

Police arrested Rush on April 10 around 11:10 a.m. at his residence. 

Officers found a black MasterPiece Arms Defender semi-automatic pistol loaded with one round in the chamber and an 18-round high-capacity magazine, along with another magazine holding 13 rounds.

The gun recovered from Ricardo Rush

The gun recovered from Ricardo Rush

DOJ

At the time of the attack, Rush was already barred from owning any firearm because of a 2021 conviction for assault with a dangerous weapon in Superior Court.

Rush pleaded guilty in June to: 

  • Unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon;
  • Assault with a dangerous weapon;
  • Possession of a firearm during a crime of violence or dangerous offense. 

In addition to his prison term, Rush will also serve three years of supervised release.