On August 22, 2025, Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, was tragically stabbed to death while traveling on a light rail train in Charlotte. She had fled the war in Ukraine, hoping to build a safer life in the United States.
The attack occurred shortly before 10 p.m. when Zarutska boarded the Lynx Blue Line after finishing work at a local pizzeria. Sitting near the back of the train, she was scrolling through her phone when a man seated behind her suddenly attacked with a pocket knife.
The suspect, identified as Decarlos Brown Jr., stabbed Iryna Zarutska three times, including one fatal strike to the neck. She collapsed and died inside the train carriage. The attacker then calmly removed his sweatshirt, walked through the car, and exited at the next stop, where police quickly arrested him.
Brown, a 34-year-old with a lengthy criminal record and documented mental health issues, now faces a charge of first-degree murder. Authorities later confirmed that security personnel were on the train but in another car at the time, delaying an immediate response.
The incident has raised serious concerns about public safety on Charlotte’s transit system. Officials have since announced new measures, including more police presence, improved surveillance, and stricter fare enforcement, to prevent similar tragedies.
A fundraising campaign for Iryna Zarutska’s family has received overwhelming support, collecting tens of thousands of dollars. Community members described her as hardworking, kind, and full of hope, making her sudden death even more devastating.
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