A 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, Iryna Zarutska, was fatally stabbed during a Charlotte light rail ride on August 22, 2025. Newly released surveillance footage shows Zarutska sitting with headphones on when 27-year-old Decarlos Brown — with no prior interaction — suddenly attacked her with a knife. Passengers tried to save her, but she died from her injuries.
Brown was arrested immediately at the next station and now faces first-degree murder charges. Officials revealed he has a criminal history and mental health issues and has been banned from using Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) services.
Zarutska fled Ukraine in August 2022 with her family, escaping the war. A talented artist and aspiring veterinary assistant, she was remembered for her kindness, creativity, and love for animals. Charlotte’s mayor called the incident a “senseless and tragic loss,” while President Donald Trump condemned the attack, labeling Brown a “madman.”
