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Killing of Iryna Zarutska

Coordinates: 35°12′43″N 80°51′33″W / 35.211944°N 80.859167°W / 35.211944; -80.859167
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Killing of Iryna Zarutska
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LocationEast/West Boulevard station, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
Coordinates35°12′43″N 80°51′33″W / 35.211944°N 80.859167°W / 35.211944; -80.859167
DateAugust 22, 2025 (2025-08-22)
before 10:00 p.m. EDT (UTC−4)
Attack type
Stabbing
VictimIryna Zarutska
AccusedDecarlos Brown Jr.
ChargesFirst-degree murder (state);[1] violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1992 (terrorist attacks and other violence against mass transportation systems) (federal)[2]

The killing of Iryna Zarutska occurred on August 22, 2025, at the East/West Boulevard station on the Lynx Blue Line, in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who had fled her country because of the Russian invasion, was fatally stabbed. The suspected assailant, Decarlos Brown Jr., was arrested upon exiting the train and charged with first-degree murder.

The killing drew international coverage for Zarutska's status as a refugee seeking safety in the United States, prompted a public statement from Charlotte mayor Vi Lyles, and footage of the killing sparked outrage on social media, leading to policy discussions about transit security, fare enforcement, and gaps in the criminal justice and mental health systems.[3][4]

Background

Iryna Zarutska (Ukrainian: Ірина Заруцька)[5][a] was born in Kyiv, Ukraine,[8] and was 23 years old when she died.[9] Zarutska studied at Synergy College in Kyiv and earned a degree in art and restoration.[10] Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Zarutska family moved from their apartment to a small bomb shelter where they lived for months. Iryna, her mother, her sister, and her younger brother immigrated to the United States in 2022. Her father remained in Ukraine as laws prevented men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving the country. In Huntersville, North Carolina, Iryna took various jobs and began learning English. Her boyfriend gave her driving lessons, since the family had never owned a car.[11] Zarutska enrolled in college classes and found work at a local pizzeria. The night of the attack, Zarutska had finished a shift there and was commuting on the Lynx Blue Line.[12] Zarutska's father was unable to attend her funeral in the United States.[13]

The 34-year-old suspect, Decarlos Brown Jr., was arrested 14 times in Mecklenburg County before the stabbing.[14] On April 11, 2014, he was convicted of breaking and entering. While on probation, he was arrested for armed robbery and possession of a firearm by a felon.[15] Brown was incarcerated for more than five years in state prison.[16][15] Upon release, he initially lived with his family, but his mother told ABC News that he was diagnosed with schizophrenia at this point and displayed violent behavior at home.[16] His mother said she sought involuntary commitment but was denied. The Associated Press reported that involuntary commitments are difficult to obtain unless a court finds the person to be dangerous.[17] As a further complication, North Carolina reduced the capacity of state hospitals in the early 2000s, and the average wait time for a psychiatric bed was 16 days in 2024.[18] After Brown stopped taking psychiatric medication, his mother brought him to a homeless shelter.[16] In January 2025, he repeatedly called 911 about a "man-made material" inside him that was controlling his body. Brown was charged with misuse of 911 and released without bond.[19]

Killing

Surveillance image showing Zarutska (right, sitting) and the perpetrator behind her, moments before the killing

On August 22, 2025, Zarutska was at a light rail station in Charlotte's South End neighborhood. Surveillance footage shows Zarutska boarding the train and sitting in front of the perpetrator. Four minutes later, the perpetrator pulled a pocket knife from his hoodie and stabbed Zarutska three times from behind, including at least once in the neck.[20][21] Zarutska remained conscious or semi-conscious for nearly a minute before bleeding out and collapsing on the floor.[22] No security personnel were present in the train car, though there were officers on board the train one car ahead.[23][24] Although at least four other people were seating near Zarutska during the stabbing, help from passengers was provided after she collapsed on the floor.[22]

Brown exited the train two minutes later, and was arrested by police on the platform.[25][23][21] Zarutska was pronounced dead at the scene.[26][27] The suspect was transported for treatment following his arrest, and was charged with first-degree murder.[3][1] Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) named Brown as the suspect, and did not disclose the motive for the attack.[28] The investigation remains ongoing, with CMPD's homicide unit encouraging the public to provide any relevant information.[3]

Brown was indicted by a grand jury on September 15, 2025, and charged with first-degree murder. He is being held at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center without bond.[29]

Aftermath

The fatal stabbing raised concerns about the safety of Charlotte's Lynx Blue Line. Councilman Edwin Peacock stressed fragile public trust and urged Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) and CMPD to review security. CATS confirmed the train operator followed protocol, holding the train until police arrived.[23] On September 5, 2025, CATS released surveillance video of the stabbing.[21][30] On September 6, 2025, local Charlotte TV channel WBTV quoted the authorities saying that the suspect "did not have a ticket to ride the train".[31] He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder for stabbing Zarutska to death.[3]

Following the killing, local officials and the district attorney publicly discussed gaps in Mecklenburg County's mental health and justice systems, using the case as an example in debates over how courts handle defendants with serious mental illness.[32] The Charlotte Area Transit System said it would seek to increase fare inspections, install new ticket validators, and expand security staffing on trains and platforms.[33] Mayor Vi Lyles called the killing "senseless and tragic" and urged respect for the victim's family as the investigation continued.[34] Multiple Charlotte City Council officials and candidates in the 2025 Charlotte mayoral election called for greater action to ensure safety on public transit.[35] Dimple Ajmera, a member of the Charlotte city council, said of the crime, "Clearly, our current safety policies are not enough," and expressed concern that fear of crime in the transportation system might affect an upcoming referendum to expand the city's light rail system.[36] North Carolina governor Josh Stein called for "more cops on the beat" and for the state legislature to pass a law enforcement package to address vacancies.[37]

The killing garnered national attention in the United States, particularly from right-wing political commentators, and was described by The Charlotte Observer as having become "politicized".[38][39] Conservative commentators accused mainstream media of not covering the Charlotte killing, which involved a white victim and a black suspect, with the same intensity as they did in the Jordan Neely case where the situation was opposite.[40] U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy publicly blamed Charlotte city officials for the killing, and Elon Musk criticized judges and district attorneys for allowing "criminals to roam free."[38] Speaking at the Museum of the Bible on Monday, September 8, U.S. president Donald Trump called the attacker "a madman" and "a lunatic" and said that "when you have horrible killings, you have to take horrible actions. And the actions that we take are nothing." He continued by blaming local officials in places like Chicago for failing to stop crime and denounced cashless bail.[41] On September 9, the White House released a video in which Trump said that Zarutska was "slaughtered by a deranged monster".[42]

The case received international coverage, including in Ukraine, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stating it was "in constant contact" with investigators.[43][44] In the United Kingdom, The Times noted that the case had "fuelled a debate about crime rates in the United States",[45] while The Daily Telegraph noted the case has "triggered uproar over crime in the US".[46] A GoFundMe crowd funding page that was opened for the suspect, Decarlos Brown, was closed by the company, after triggering public outrage.[47][48] A judge ordered Brown to be evaluated for 60 days at a local hospital.[49] Brown was subsequently charged with murder in the first degree in North Carolina state court[1] and committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system in Federal court.[50][51][52][53][54]

Memorials

On August 31, 2025, a candlelight vigil in Charlotte honored Zarutska and other recent victims of transit-related violence.[55] North Carolina officials also announced a candlelight vigil to mark 30 days after her death, scheduled for September 22 at the East/West Boulevard station.[56] Her family elected to bury Zarutska in the United States.[57][58]

Zarutska's death inspired numerous murals across the United States[59] for which funds have been raised. In September 2025, American rapper DaBaby released the song "Save Me" dedicated to Zarutska.[60]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ pronounced [iˈrɪnɐ zɐˈrut͡sʲkɐ][6][7]

References

  1. ^ a b c Yan, Holly; Winter, Jeff (September 10, 2025). "Suspect in Charlotte train stabbing that killed a Ukrainian refugee is charged with a federal crime. Here's what we know". CNN.
  2. ^ "Justice Department Charges Light Rail Attacker with Federal Crime". U.S. Department of Justice. September 9, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d Lee, Hank; Pierre, Jesse; King, Anna (September 5, 2025). "CATS releases surveillance video of deadly light rail stabbing". wcnc.com. North Carolina: WCNC-TV. Archived from the original on September 8, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  4. ^ "У США вбили 23-річну українку Ірину Заруцьку: що відомо". BBC News Україна (in Ukrainian). August 26, 2025. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  5. ^ "У США вбили 23-річну українку Ірину Заруцьку: що відомо". BBC News Україна (in Ukrainian). August 26, 2025.
  6. ^ "ІРИНА — ТЛУМАЧЕННЯ". Горох — українські словники. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  7. ^ Bogdan, F. (1974). Dictionary of Ukrainian Surnames in Canada. Winnipeg: Onomastic Commission of UVAN / Canadian Institute of Onomastic Sciences. p. 338.
  8. ^ "Iryna Zarutska's Obituary, Visitation & Funeral Information". James Funeral Home. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  9. ^ "Obituary gives more details about light rail stabbing victim". WFAE. August 28, 2025. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  10. ^ Dam, Elizabeth Wolfe, Jeff Winter, TuAnh (September 9, 2025). "How the lives of a Ukrainian refugee and a Charlotte man with a criminal history converged, leading to her fatal stabbing". CNN.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Janes, Theoden (September 16, 2025). "If you're going to remember Iryna Zarutska, her family hopes it's more like this".
  12. ^ Quinn, Liam (September 10, 2025). "Ukrainian Refugee Stabbed on N.C. Train Had Survived Bombings in Kyiv Before Coming to U.S." People.com.
  13. ^ Griffith, Janelle (September 11, 2025). "Before Fatal Stabbing, Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Had Fallen in Love with the American Dream, Relative Says (Exclusive)". People.
  14. ^ Versuzco, Erik; Brumfield, Sarah (September 8, 2025). "Charlotte Officials Under Fire After Man with Long Criminal History Kills Ukrainian Refugee on Train". PBS.
  15. ^ a b Kowles, Naomi (September 9, 2025). "Timeline: What We Know About Charlotte Light Rail Stabbing Suspect's Criminal History". WBTV.
  16. ^ a b c Morris, Kaitlyn; Forrester, Megan; Drymon, Vera (September 10, 2025). "Mother, Sister of Charlotte Stabbing Suspect Describe History of Mental Illness". ABC News.
  17. ^ Lauer, Claudia (September 10, 2025). "Previous Charges, Delayed Mental Health Evaluation Were Missed Opportunities in Charlotte Stabbing". CTVNews. The Associated Press.
  18. ^ Sands, Alexandria (September 4, 2025). "Mecklenburg's DA Acknowledges Criminal Justice System Gaps Following Light Rail Killing". Axios.
  19. ^ Fishman, Taylor (September 8, 2025). "Deadly Lightrail Stabbing Suspect Had 14 Prior Arrests, Diagnosed with Schizophrenia". ABC6.
  20. ^ "Ukrainian refugee, 23, stabbed to death on US train in 'random attack'". The Indian Express. September 7, 2025. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  21. ^ a b c Bruno, Joe (September 6, 2025). "CATS releases video of deadly random stabbing on light rail". WSOC TV. North Carolina: WSOC-TV. Archived from the original on September 8, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  22. ^ a b Nicole Gelinas. "Four Seconds on a Charlotte Train". City Journal. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  23. ^ a b c Gray, Daniel; Charlotte, Jordan Kudisch. "Graphic Content Warning: CATS releases video of deadly light rail stabbing". Spectrum News 1. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  24. ^ Córdova, Maricielo Grados (September 6, 2025). "Una joven ucraniana refugiada en EEUU fue brutalmente asesinada en un tren de Charlotte". Infobae (in Spanish). Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  25. ^ Biswas, Shuvrajit Das (September 7, 2025). "Who is Decarlos Brown Jr.? Man arrested for murdering Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in North Carolina". Hindustan Times. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  26. ^ Nieves, Alicia (September 7, 2025). "Ukrainian refugee killed in random stabbing on North Carolina train". NewsNation. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  27. ^ Altman-Devilbiss, Alexx (September 8, 2025). "What we know about the repeat offender accused of killing Ukrainian refugee on NC train". WCHS-TV. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  28. ^ "Case Update: Homicide Investigation in the Central Division". Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  29. ^ "Decarlos Brown Jr. indicted in killing of Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte light rail". Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  30. ^ Serdyuk, Kateryna (September 6, 2025). "Вбивство українки у США: з'явилися кадри з місця злочину". ТСН.ua (in Ukrainian). Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  31. ^ Lee, Hank. "'Senseless and tragic': Charlotte mayor issues statement on deadly CATS stabbing". WBTV. North Carolina. Archived from the original on September 8, 2025. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  32. ^ Sands, Alexandria (September 4, 2025). "Mecklenburg's DA acknowledges criminal justice system gaps following light rail killing". Axios Charlotte. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  33. ^ Warrick, Michael (September 3, 2025). "Charlotte light rail ticket enforcement expected to increase after stabbing". WBTV. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  34. ^ Lee, Hank. "'Senseless and tragic': Charlotte mayor issues statement on deadly CATS stabbing". wbtv.com. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  35. ^ Ramsey, Mary (September 3, 2025). "Crime takes focus in Charlotte mayoral race after South End light rail stabbing". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  36. ^ Portillo, Ely (August 26, 2025). "Charlotte City Council members want answers on light rail crime, safety". WFAE.
  37. ^ Ahmadi, Ali Abbas (September 9, 2025). "Fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee in North Carolina ignites crime debate". BBC News. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  38. ^ a b Muccigrosso, Catherine; Bergeron, Josh (September 7, 2025). "Deadly light rail stabbing in Charlotte grows political under national spotlight". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  39. ^ Song, Vivian; Crilly, Rob (September 7, 2025). "Ukrainian, 23, stabbed to death on train in US after fleeing war". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on September 8, 2025. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  40. ^ Caputo, Marc (September 8, 2025). "Grisly Charlotte stabbing video fuels MAGA's crime message". Axios. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  41. ^ Battaglia, Danielle (September 8, 2025). "Donald Trump reacts to Charlotte light rail stabbing and other 'horrible killings'". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  42. ^ Botelho, Jessica A. (September 9, 2025). "'Deranged monster': White House releases video of Trump denouncing NC train attack". CBS 2 Iowa.
  43. ^ "Ukraine's Foreign Ministry comments on fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee in US". Ukrainska Pravda. August 27, 2025. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  44. ^ Bandouil, Sonya (September 7, 2025). "Ukrainian refugee stabbed to death in North Carolina, suspect charged with murder". The Kyiv Independent. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  45. ^ Thurston, Joshua (September 8, 2025). "Murder of Ukrainian refugee in US ignites row over race". The Times. Archived from the original on September 8, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  46. ^ Song, Vivian; Crilly, Rob (September 7, 2025). "Ukrainian, 23, stabbed to death on train in US after fleeing war". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  47. ^ King, Jordan (September 8, 2025). "GoFundMe responds to Decarlos Brown Jr. fundraisers". Newsweek. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  48. ^ "'Horrific': Massive outrage over fundraiser for ex-con Decarlos Brown Jr, GoFundMe takes down pages". The Times of India. September 8, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  49. ^ Yan, Holly; Smart, Sara; Gallagher, Dianne; Blackman, Mia (September 8, 2025). "Video shows fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee on Charlotte light rail – stirring debate on crime in major US cities". CNN.
  50. ^ "Justice Department Charges Light Rail Attacker with Federal Crime". www.justice.gov. September 9, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  51. ^ Von Quednow, Cindy; Rabinowitz, Hannah (September 9, 2025). "Man faces a federal charge in the fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte train". CNN.
  52. ^ Forrester, Megan (September 9, 2025). "Suspect in Charlotte train stabbing facing federal charges, possible death penalty: DOJ". ABC News.
  53. ^ Wendling, Mike (September 9, 2025). "Suspect in fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee charged with federal crime". BBC News.
  54. ^ Ax, Joseph (September 8, 2025). "Trump cites Ukrainian woman's murder in push for broad crime crackdown". Reuters.
  55. ^ Korynta, Emma (August 31, 2025). "Vigil held for victims of deadly Charlotte transportation crimes". WCNC-TV.
  56. ^ Forrester, Megan (September 10, 2025). "Charlotte light rail stabbing: Trump demands death penalty for suspect". ABC News.
  57. ^ Lomis, Connor (September 10, 2025). "Ukrainian refugee stabbed to death on Charlotte light rail will be buried in the U.S., 'she loved America'". WBTV. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  58. ^ Yilek, Caitlin (September 9, 2025). "DOJ charges man for deadly stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in North Carolina". CBS News. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  59. ^ "Abilene business honors Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska with mural". KTXS. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  60. ^ "DaBaby Drops Heart-Wrenching Music Video Honoring Iryna Zarutska: "Save Me"". Yahoo!. September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
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