WARNING: Disturbing details
Authorities in Charlotte, North Carolina, have released chilling surveillance footage showing the random and brutal stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, whose hopes for a safe new life in the United States ended in tragedy.
The Attack
On the night of August 22, 2025, Iryna boarded the Lynx Blue Line light rail. She had fled war-torn Ukraine seeking peace and stability. Footage shows her sitting quietly, scrolling on her phone, completely unaware of the man behind her—34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr.
Brown, a homeless career criminal with a long history of arrests, can be seen fidgeting nervously before snapping open a pocket knife. Moments later, he lunges forward, stabbing Iryna in the throat multiple times. The attack was swift and unprovoked.
Passengers froze in shock as Iryna collapsed. Brown, with blood on him, calmly walked through the carriage and exited at the next station. Police quickly tracked him down, and Iryna was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
The Suspect’s Criminal History
Brown’s background paints a troubling picture. His rap sheet stretches back more than 15 years and includes felony larceny, armed robbery, and violent assaults. Despite repeated prison sentences, he was released back onto the streets multiple times.
Earlier this year, Brown had been arrested after misusing 911 during a mental health episode, claiming a “man-made” material was controlling his body. Despite this and other red flags, he remained free.
He is now charged with first-degree murder.
Public Outrage and Systemic Failures
The shocking nature of the crime has ignited public outrage, with many questioning how someone with Brown’s record and mental health issues was able to roam free.
Officials have since pledged to increase safety measures on Charlotte’s transit system, including more surveillance and additional police presence. Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather also stressed the need for stronger judicial oversight of violent offenders, noting his office is already overwhelmed with 300 pending homicide cases and just 85 prosecutors.
A Life Cut Short
Friends and neighbors described Iryna as hopeful, resilient, and determined to rebuild her life after fleeing the war in Ukraine. Instead, her life was stolen in an act of random violence that has left both her family and the Charlotte community in shock.
