Ukrainian refugee brutally murdered on train in North Carolina

A 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, Iryna Zarutska, who fled her war-torn homeland seeking safety in the United States, was fatally stabbed by 34- year-old Decarlos Brown Jr. on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 22, 2025.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, Iryna Zarutska, who fled her war-torn homeland seeking safety in the United States, was fatally stabbed on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 22, 2025. The brutal attack, described by authorities as unprovoked, occurred at the East/West Boulevard station on the Lynx Blue Line, shattering the hopes of a young woman who had come to the U.S. for a new beginning.

According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, officers responded to the scene shortly before 10 p.m. after reports of a stabbing. They found Zarutska in the back of a train car, suffering from multiple stab wounds, including at least one to the throat. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:05 p.m. The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr., was arrested shortly after and charged with first-degree murder. Brown, who was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries sustained during the incident, is currently being held without bond.

Surveillance footage from the train, as reported by local authorities, captured the chilling moments leading up to the attack. Zarutska boarded the South End light rail and sat in front of Brown. After approximately four and a half minutes, Brown allegedly pulled a folding knife from his pocket, stood up, and stabbed Zarutska three times in a sudden and unprovoked assault. A folding knife was later recovered on the train platform, and Brown was found with a laceration on his hand, though the exact circumstances of his injury remain unclear.

Zarutska had recently arrived in the United States in 2022, fleeing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. A GoFundMe campaign, launched by her aunt Valeria to cover funeral expenses, described her as a young woman “seeking safety from the war and hoping for a new beginning.” The fundraiser, which has raised over $12,000 toward its $30,000 goal, emphasized the “irreparable loss” felt by her family. “Tragically, her life was cut short far too soon,” the campaign stated.

Court records reveal that Brown, who is reportedly homeless, has a lengthy criminal history dating back to 2011. His prior arrests include charges of felony larceny, robbery with a dangerous weapon, communicating threats, and assault on a female. Brown served six years in a North Carolina prison for robbery and other charges, being released in September 2020. In January 2025, he was arrested for misusing the 911 system, claiming someone had implanted a “man-made” substance in his body to control his actions, according to an affidavit cited by The Charlotte Observer. Despite his extensive record, many of Brown’s prior charges were dropped.

Police have not disclosed a motive for the attack, and there is no indication that Brown and Zarutska knew each other. The seemingly random nature of the killing has left the Charlotte community shaken. “It’s a wake-up call,” said Pierson Grey, a regular light rail rider. “The fact that this could happen is very daunting. Scary.”

The incident has sparked outrage and grief, particularly among Charlotte’s immigrant community, which has rallied to support Zarutska’s family. Posts on X have highlighted the tragedy, with some users expressing frustration over the lack of initial media coverage and raising concerns about public safety. “Authorities blatantly ignored massive warning signs,” one post claimed, referencing Brown’s criminal history.

As the investigation continues, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has not confirmed whether the stabbing occurred on the train, the platform, or nearby. The community mourns the loss of Iryna Zarutska, whose dreams of a safer life were tragically cut short.