Suspect arrested in rape of Renton man at bus stop

RENTON, Wash. — A man was booked into jail overnight in connection with the rape and assault of a Renton man at a bus stop.

James Tyson was booked into the Regional Justice Center in Kent about 1 a.m. Monday -- an hour after someone claiming to be Tyson called KIRO 7 to say he was turning himself in to authorities.

He is currently being held on $1 million bail.

Tyson is accused of raping and beating a man at a bus stop near the Sunset Court Apartments in Renton in the early hours of March 21.

The vicitm had been waiting for a bus and decided to sit down at a nearby apartment building stairwell.

According to probable cause documents, a man, identified as Tyson, approached the victim and asked him, "What are you doing on my stairwell?"

The victim told Tyson he was "about to get on the bus."

Tyson drew a firearm and ordered the victim to "strip down," according to probable cause documents.

Investigators said during the sexual assault, the victim was able to pick up the gun and pull the trigger, but the gun clicked and did not fire.

Prosecutors said Tyson started choking the victim, bit his face and struck him repeatedly.

The victim grabbed a nearby glass bottle, smashed it against Tyson's face and fled, naked and covered in blood.

He was found by police in the area of Northeast 12th Street and Northeast Sunset Boulevard after people called 911 to report a nude man running in the street.

Investigators said the victim needed more than 30 stitches to close his wounds. A sexual assault exam and evidence collection were conducted at the hospital.

Tyson has prior convictions for violent crimes, including robbery.

If convicted of rape, charging documents indicate it could be his third strike -- meaning he could face a life sentence in prison.

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