A quiet evening commute in Charlotte turned into a moment of horror after a Ukrainian refugee’s life was violently cut short on the city’s Lynx Blue Line. What began as an ordinary train ride has now left officials and residents questioning safety on public transit.
On August 22, 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska boarded the light rail in her pizzeria uniform, settling into her seat and scrolling on her phone.
Just minutes later, investigators say a man seated behind her pulled out a pocketknife, stood up, and struck three times, with at least one blow to her neck.
Credit: (Instagram-lucaveros225)
Surveillance footage released by the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) shows the chilling sequence.
The attacker then walked calmly through the train, removing his sweatshirt while passengers noticed blood dripping from his hands. Zarutska collapsed in her seat and was pronounced d*ad on the train.
The suspect was identified as 34-year-old Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., a homeless man with a long criminal record.
He exited the train at the next stop, where police later recovered the w*apon. Brown was treated for a cut to his hand before being taken into custody and charged with first-degree m*rder.
Court records reveal Brown’s history of arrests dating back to 2011, including larceny, robbery with a dangerous w*apon, and thr*ats.
Earlier this year, he was detained for misusing 911 after claiming a “man-made” substance inside his body controlled his movements.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein called the attack “heartbreaking,” adding, “We need more cops on the beat to keep people safe.”
City officials admitted that transit security guards were on the train but not in Zarutska’s car when the stabbing occurred. Police arrived about six minutes later.
CATS has since promised sweeping changes, including tripling its safety budget, upgrading cameras, and hiring a chief safety officer. The Charlotte City Council is also reviewing a plan to increase police patrols on buses and trains.
Zarutska’s family launched a GoFundMe that has raised tens of thousands of dollars.
“She recently arrived in the United States seeking safety from the war and hoping for a new beginning. Tragically, her life was cut short far too soon,” the family wrote.
The case has sparked national outrage and political debate, with many questioning how someone fleeing conflict abroad could fall victim to violence in a city she hoped would be her refuge. As the investigation continues, Charlotte grieves a young life lost and faces urgent calls to restore trust in public safety.
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