The family of a Ukrainian refugee who was fatally stabbed on a train in a vicious assault has spoken out, criticizing authorities for what they perceive as security protocol failures.
Iryna Zarutska had fled Ukraine, leaving her family behind, following the invasion ordered by Vladimir Putin on February 24, 2022. Seeking safety abroad, she began a new life in Charlotte, North Carolina.
On August 22, Iryna boarded the South End light rail train in Charlotte, a routine journey for her. However, shortly after taking her seat on the crowded train, a homeless man with a significant criminal record launched a frenzied knife attack, fatally stabbing her in the neck.
Her family publicly expressed their devastation, describing her death as a tragic loss. They emphasized that Iryna had come to the U.S. in search of peace and security, only to have her life brutally taken away. The family is demanding a thorough investigation into the alleged security lapses and system failures on the Lynx Blue Line, citing inadequate security presence and a lack of effective safety measures.
Emphasizing the need for improved safety measures, the family stated, “This tragic incident could have happened to anyone on that light rail that night. We are determined to ensure that such a tragedy never recurs.”
Following the incident, distressing video footage of the attack circulated online. However, the family has urged the public and media to refrain from sharing or reposting the footage out of respect for Iryna’s dignity and their grief.
The family revealed that Iryna was actively building a new life in Charlotte, working full-time at a local pizzeria and studying English at a community college. On the night of the attack, after texting her partner that she would be home soon, her loved ones tracked her phone’s location to the train station, where they received the devastating news of her death.
The perpetrator, identified as homeless man Decarlos Brown Jr, 35, with a history of criminal offenses, was apprehended shortly after the attack. He faces charges of first-degree murder and a federal charge related to the incident on the train.
Despite North Carolina’s history of rare executions, Brown, if convicted of the federal crime, could potentially face the death penalty. Attorney General Pam Bondi has vowed to seek the maximum penalty for this “unforgivable act of violence,” emphasizing the need to prioritize the safety of innocent individuals over criminals. Bondi stated, “Iryna Zarutska was pursuing the American dream, and her senseless murder underscores the consequences of lenient crime policies. We will push for the harshest punishment to ensure he never sees freedom again.”