A young Ukrainian woman who escaped Vladimir Putin’s brutal invasion seeking safety in America has been murdered at a North Carolina light rail station by a homeless man with an extensive criminal history.
Iryna Zarutska, 23, was fatally stabbed on a LYNX Blue Line train at the East/West Boulevard station in Charlotte’s South End district at approximately 10:30pm on Friday. The refugee, who friends say had “a heart of gold,” died at the scene after suffering multiple stab wounds.
Police arrested Decarlos Brown Jr, 34, shortly after the attack. The homeless man, who has been arrested multiple times since 2011, was hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries before being charged with first-degree murder. Court records reveal almost all previous charges against him were dropped despite his lengthy rap sheet.
No Security Present During Fatal Attack
Sources have confirmed to local media that no security personnel were aboard the light rail carriage when Brown launched what police describe as a “random and sudden attack” on Zarutska. The revelation has sparked urgent questions about safety on Charlotte’s public transport system.
A GoFundMe campaign launched by friends to support Zarutska’s family has already raised over £9,400 ($12,000) towards its £23,600 ($30,000) goal. “Ira had recently arrived in the United States, seeking safety from the war and hoping for a new beginning,” the fundraiser states. “Tragically, her life was cut short far too soon.”
The campaign was created on behalf of Zarutska’s aunt Valeria, who is devastated by the loss. “This is an irreparable loss for her family. We have created this fundraiser to support her aunt Valeria and her loved ones during this heartbreaking time and to help them with the unexpected expenses,” the page reads.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department confirmed the stabbing occurred on the train itself and that Brown and Zarutska did not know one another. The attack has left Charlotte’s Ukrainian community reeling, with many questioning how someone fleeing war could meet such a violent end in what was meant to be a safe haven.
Extensive Criminal History Ignored
Brown’s criminal record stretches back to 2011 and includes charges of felony larceny, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and communicating threats. Despite this extensive history, most charges were mysteriously dropped, allowing him to remain on the streets.
In 2014, Brown was convicted of armed robbery after pointing a gun at a man and stealing £354 ($450), 100 Honduran Lempiras, and a mobile phone. He served five years in prison before being released in September 2020, according to court documents.
Within months of his release, Brown was arrested again in February 2021 for assaulting his sister, leaving her with minor injuries. That same month, he faced additional charges for property damage and trespassing after kicking down a door at a residence he’d been banned from entering.
Most recently, Brown was arrested in January 2025 for misusing the emergency services after calling 911 claiming someone had given him “man-made material” that controlled when he ate, walked, and talked. His public defender questioned his mental competency just last month, with a judge ordering a forensic evaluation.
Transit Safety Under Scrutiny
The brutal murder has prompted Charlotte City Council members to demand immediate action on public transport safety. Councillor Dimple Ajmera revealed at Monday’s meeting: “I’ve heard from several constituents regarding how they’re afraid to ride our public buses, especially after recent violent incidents.”
An email obtained by local media reveals that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police had three interactions with Brown in 2024 through their Community Policing Crisis Response Team, where he was referred to available resources for mental health support. It remains unclear whether Brown accepted any help or why he wasn’t detained despite ongoing criminal behaviour.
This incident comes after the city and its security provider implemented measures over the past eight months to enhance safety, including strategic placement of security personnel and fare compliance enforcement. However, these measures clearly failed to prevent Friday’s tragedy.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles released a statement acknowledging the systemic failures: “This is a tragic situation that sheds light on problems with society’s safety nets related to mental healthcare and the systems that should be in place. While I do not know the specifics of the man’s medical record, what I have come to understand is that he has long struggled with mental health and appears to have suffered a crisis.
Ukrainian Community Mourns
Friends remember Zarutska as someone who “was always very helpful, very supportive, and just had a heart of gold.” She had been a student at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College from 2023 to 2025, where staff described her as dedicated to building a new life in America.
Life was like it is right now, just bombing daily, depending on what province you’re in, and you don’t know if you’re going to live to breathe another day,” a family friend named Lonnie told local media, describing the conditions Zarutska fled in Ukraine.
The cruel irony of escaping a war zone only to be murdered in what should have been a routine journey has not been lost on the community. “She’s somebody that abided by the law and doesn’t get to live another day to even try,” Lonnie added. “It’s very, very sickening and sad that we have such evil in our society today.”
Pattern of Transit Violence
Zarutska’s murder is the latest in a string of violent incidents on Charlotte’s public transport system. Earlier in the week, police responded to an assault on a CATS bus in South Charlotte. In May 2025, a person was hospitalised after a shooting at Archdale station.
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) has faced criticism over safety concerns for years. In February 2022, bus operator Ethan Rivera was murdered in a road rage incident, leading operators to demand better safety protocols. Another driver was struck by a stray bullet in December 2023.
Despite claims that Charlotte is “by and large a safe city” with a “safe transit system,” crime statistics tell a different story. Charlotte’s crime rate exceeds the national average by 67 per cent, with violent crime 102 per cent higher than the US average.
CATS released a brief statement saying: “Safety remains our top priority and we will continue to work with our partners at CMPD as the investigation continues.” However, residents are demanding more than words, with many now refusing to use public transport after dark.
Charlotte resident Jessica Enwesi told reporters: “I prefer the train mostly because I feel like there’s more security, more cameras, more people.” That perceived safety proved tragically false for Zarutska on Friday night.
As Charlotte grapples with this latest tragedy, questions remain about how a career criminal with mental health issues was allowed to roam free despite repeated arrests and concerning behaviour. For Iryna Zarutska’s family, those questions come far too late.
Brown remains hospitalised and has not yet appeared before a judge. His first court appearance date has not been set.
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