A federal grand jury indicted Decarlos Brown Jr. on Wednesday, charging him with violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death, a crime that carries the possibility of the death penalty. The indictment stems from the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian immigrant Iryna Zarutska on August 22 aboard Charlotte’s Lynx Blue Line light rail.
Surveillance footage, which is said to have recorded the entire incident, shows Zarutska boarding the train and sitting in front of Brown. Approximately four minutes later, Brown allegedly removed a knife from his pocket, opened it, and struck Zarutska three times from behind. Prosecutors stated there seemed to be no interaction between Zarutska and Brown before the attack. Zarutska was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.
Following the stabbing, a witness alerted law enforcement to Brown’s whereabouts. Responding officers found him on the platform and took him into custody without incident. The 34-year-old suspect has a history of criminal offenses, including larceny and breaking and entering, and served five years in prison for robbery with a dangerous weapon starting in 2015.
The case has gained particular attention due to Zarutska's background. Her obituary revealed she was born in Ukraine and had emigrated to the U.S. with her family to escape the war, embracing her new life in America. Her untimely death represents a tragic end to her aspirations for safety and stability.
This federal charge against Brown marks a significant escalation in the legal proceedings. Months before the alleged murder, Brown was released on cashless bail by Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes, who does not hold a legal license—though North Carolina law does not require magistrate judges to be licensed attorneys.
Mayor Vi Lyles faced criticism following her remarks on the incident, emphasizing the suspect's mental health and the need for compassionate treatment. She suggested that traditional law enforcement methods would not suffice in addressing issues such as homelessness and mental health, drawing parallels to the treatment of physical diseases.
