Man Faces Federal Charge for Fatal Stabbing of Ukrainian Refugee on Charlotte Train
The Justice Department announced on Tuesday that Decarlos Brown Jr. has been federally charged for the stabbing death of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, on a Charlotte light rail train last month. The charge accuses Brown of committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system, a federal offense that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment or the death penalty.
The attack took place on August 22 in North Carolina while Zarutska was commuting on the light rail. The incident, captured by surveillance footage, appeared to be a random and unprovoked act of violence. Zarutska had recently fled war-torn Ukraine, having lived in a bomb shelter before arriving in the U.S. to build a safer life, according to her relatives.
Decarlos Brown Jr. has a documented criminal background with 14 prior arrests, raising many questions about why he was still at large prior to the fatal stabbing. This case has heightened debates about the safety of public transit, mental illness, violent crime, and local policy effectiveness in cities like Charlotte.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi issued a statement condemning the killing, calling it the result of “failed soft-on-crime policies that put criminals before innocent people.” She emphasized the determination to pursue the maximum penalty in this case, stating, “He will never again see the light of day as a free man.”
FBI Director Kash Patel also commented on the case, describing the attack as “disgraceful” and underscoring the FBI’s rapid involvement to ensure justice. He highlighted the broader implication for public safety, specifically noting the impact violent crime has on the American way of life and mass transit usage.
The federal criminal complaint was filed in U.S. District Court in Charlotte under Title 18, Section 1992A7, a law designed to address violent acts on mass transportation systems. This charge supplements ongoing state murder proceedings against Brown.
This tragic event has sparked significant political commentary. The Trump administration cited the murder as an example of failures in Democratic-led cities’ approaches to crime prevention and public safety. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein and other political leaders have also been involved in the public discussion following the release of surveillance videos by Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS).
In response to the incident, Republican State Auditor Dave Boliek announced plans to audit Charlotte’s transit safety and security measures, including its budget and private security contracts.
Iryna Zarutska’s case has drawn national attention not only for the brutal nature of the attack but also as a broader signal of concerns over violent crime on transit systems. Advocates emphasize the need to regain public confidence in mass transportation and enhance protections for commuters.
The federal prosecution aims to ensure accountability while underscoring that violent crimes on public transportation will meet the full force of the law.