A Ukrainian refugee was fatally stabbed on a Charlotte, North Carolina, train last month, prompting federal charges against the suspect and renewed debate over public safety and crime policies.
Iryna Zarutska, 23, who arrived in the United States in 2022 after fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, was attacked on August 22nd while riding the Lynx Blue Line. Surveillance footage released by authorities shows Zarutska cowering in fear and covering her face before falling to the floor after being repeatedly stabbed. Passengers initially appeared shocked and uncertain, though some later attempted to assist, performing CPR and applying first aid. Police arrested Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, as he stepped off the train.
Brown, described by law enforcement as a repeat offender, faces 13 prior convictions, including armed robbery. He was reportedly homeless and struggling with mental health issues, and his mother indicated she had attempted to have him involuntarily committed after previous violent behavior. Authorities had released him without bail pending trial prior to the stabbing.
On Tuesday, federal prosecutors charged Brown with causing death on a mass transportation system, on top of a state first-degree murder charge. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said the Justice Department would seek the maximum penalty, ensuring Brown would “never again see the light of day as a free man.” FBI Director Kash Patel called the attack “a disgraceful act” and vowed to deliver justice.
The case has raised concerns about safety on Charlotte’s public transportation and crime in U.S. cities. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that federal transit funding could be cut if local authorities fail to keep buses and trains safe. Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles called it a “tragic failure by the courts and magistrates” and promised more police patrols on public transit.
Zarutska’s family described her in an online obituary as a “gifted and passionate artist” who had quickly embraced her new life in the United States. The attack has been widely reported both in the U.S. and Ukraine, eliciting shock and sadness while fueling debate over judicial release policies and law enforcement practices.
