Alleged stabbing suspect held on $1 million bail

PASCO – The man charged with fatally stabbing a school bus driver in front of students last Friday remains in the Franklin County Jail held on $1 million bail.

Joshua Dian Davis, 34, of Richland, will be in court to enter a plea to a second-degree murder charge on Oct. 12.

His first court appearance, via video, was Monday, Sept. 27, before Superior Court Judge Cameron Mitchell.

According to police, Davis forced his way onto a Longfellow Elementary School bus and stabbed driver Richard L. Lenhart, 72, of Kennewick to death in front of 35 students.

Court documents show the attack was recorded by the bus’s surveillance equipment.

After the 3:08 p.m. stabbing, Davis remained at the school where he was arrested without incident, records show. The alleged knife used in the attack was found near Davis as he was arrested.

No students were injured.

The stabbing occurred after Davis attempted to board the bus after asking for a ride to Road 100, records show. When Lenhart said the bus didn’t go there, Davis allegedly attacked.