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.,[14] who was reportedly homeless and mentally ill,[15][16] was fare-jumping at the time of the killing.[17] He was diagnosed with schizophrenia.[18] He had been previously arrested multiple times and convicted of robbery with a dangerous weapon, breaking and entering, and larceny, as well as being charged with assault and misuse of the 911 system.[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 for murder.[14][23][21] Zarutska was pronounced dead at the scene.[25][26] 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.[27] The investigation remains ongoing, with CMPD's homicide unit encouraging the public to provide any relevant information.[3]
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][28] 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".[17] 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.[29] 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.[30] Mayor Vi Lyles called the killing "senseless and tragic" and urged respect for the victim's family as the investigation continued.[31] Multiple Charlotte City Council officials and candidates in the 2025 Charlotte mayoral election called for greater action to ensure safety on public transit.[32]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.[33] 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.[34]
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".[35][36]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.[37] U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy publicly blamed Charlotte city officials for the murder, and Elon Musk criticized judges and district attorneys for allowing "criminals to roam free."[35] 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.[38] On September 9, the White House released a video in which Trump said that Zarutska was "slaughtered by a deranged monster".[39]
The case received international coverage, including in Ukraine, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stating it was "in constant contact" with investigators.[40][41] In the United Kingdom, The Times noted that the case had "fuelled a debate about crime rates in the United States",[42] while The Daily Telegraph noted the case has "triggered uproar over crime in the US".[43] A GoFundMe crowd funding page that was opened for the suspect, Decarlos Brown, was closed by the company, after triggering public outrage.[44][45] A judge ordered Brown to be evaluated for 60 days at a local hospital.[46] 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.[47][48][49][50][51]
Memorialization
On August 31, 2025, a candlelight vigil in Charlotte honored Zarutska and other recent victims of transit-related violence.[52] North Carolina officials also announced a candlelight vigil to mark 30 days after her death, scheduled for September22 at the East/West Boulevard station.[53] Her family elected to bury Zarutska in the United States.[54][55]
Zarutska's death inspired numerous murals across the United States[56] for which funds have been raised. In September 2025, American rapper DaBaby released the song "Save Me" dedicated to Zarutska.[57]
↑ Bogdan, F. (1974). Dictionary of Ukrainian Surnames in Canada. Winnipeg: Onomastic Commission of UVAN / Canadian Institute of Onomastic Sciences. p.338.
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