Just before 10 p.m. August 22nd 2025 Iryna Zarutska was stabbed in the throat by Decarlos Brown

“Iryna is survived by her parents, Anna and Stanislav; her sister, Valeriia; her brother, Bohdan; her life partner, Stas Nikulytsia; aunt, Valeria Haskell (Scott); her cousins, Vera Falkner and Viktor Falkner; and many cherished family members and friends.

Iryna will be remembered for her kindness, her creativity, and the lasting impression she left on everyone she met. Her absence leaves a deep void, but her spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved her.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution program will be established.

James Funeral Home, of Huntersville, is serving the family, and obituary lovingly written by the family.”

CNN Article on the event

Iryna Zarutska Obituary

Under-covered story in the news with Wikipedia marking the page as possibly requiring deletion

---

The 'killing of Iryna Zarutska' occurred on August 22, 2025, at the East/West Boulevard light rail station on the Lynx Blue Line<ref>last=Blanes|first=Simone |title=Assassinato chocante de refugiada ucraniana em trem revolta EUA |url=https://veja.abril.com.br/mundo/divulgacao-de-video-de-assassinato-de-ucraniana-no-trem-revolta-eua/ |access-date=7 September 2025 |work=[[Veja (magazine)]] |language=pt</ref> in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who had fled her country because of the Russian invasion, was fatally stabbed. Her assailant was arrested upon exiting the train and charged with first-degree murder.

The killing drew international coverage for Zarutska's status as a refugee seeking safety in the United States, prompted a public statement from Charlotte mayor Vi Lyles, and footage of the killing sparked outrage on social media, leading to policy discussions about transit security, fare enforcement, and gaps in the criminal justice and mental health systems.<ref name=LeePierre>url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/deadly-cats-stabbing-surveillance-video-to-be-released/275-347a6496-4a0c-4049-a87d-72533fce7e71|title=CATS releases surveillance video of deadly light rail stabbing|date=September 5, 2025|website=wcnc.com|publisher=WCNC-TV|location=North Carolina|first1=Hank|last1=Lee|first2=Jesse|last2=Pierre|first3=Anna|last3=King|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250908020326/https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/deadly-cats-stabbing-surveillance-video-to-be-released/275-347a6496-4a0c-4049-a87d-72533fce7e71|archive-date=September 8, 2025|access-date=September 8, 2025</ref><ref>date=2025-08-26 |title=У США вбили 23-річну українку Ірину Заруцьку: що відомо |url=https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/cn43nllr0y1o |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=BBC News Україна |language=uk</ref>

Iryna Zarutska, 23,<ref>date=2025-08-28 |title=Obituary gives more details about light rail stabbing victim |url=https://www.wfae.org/crime-justice/2025-08-28/obituary-gives-more-details-about-light-rail-stabbing-victim |access-date=2025-09-07 |website=[[WFAE]] |language=en</ref> born in Kyiv, Ukraine,<ref>url=https://www.jamesfuneralhomelkn.com/obituaries/iryna-zarutska/obituary|title=Iryna Zarutska's Obituary, Visitation & Funeral Information|website=James Funeral Home|access-date=September 8, 2025</ref> arrived with her family in the United States in 2022, fleeing the ongoing war following Russia's invasion of her home country. According to a GoFundMe page created by her family, Zarutska had settled in Charlotte, North Carolina.<ref name=LeePierre /><ref>last=Warrick |first=Michael |date=2025-08-25 |title=Woman killed in Charlotte light rail stabbing recently fled from Ukraine, loved ones say |url=https://www.wbtv.com/2025/08/25/charlotte-light-rail-murder-victim-recently-fled-ukraine-fundraiser-says/ |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=[[WBTV]] |language=en</ref><ref>last=Keane|first=Isabel |date=2025-08-27 |title=Woman who fled Ukraine to escape war stabbed to death in North Carolina train station |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/ukraine-refugee-stabbed-death-charlotte-iryna-zarutska-b2814757.html |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=The Independent |language=en</ref>

The 34-year-old suspect<ref>publisher=The Indian Express [P] Ltd.|first=Syed Wahab|last=Ali|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250908060725/https://www.financialexpress.com/world-news/us-news/who-is-decarlos-brown-jr-man-accused-of-killing-ukrainian-refugee-at-charlotte-train-station/3970082/|archive-date=September 8, 2025|location=India|work=Financial Express|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/world-news/us-news/who-is-decarlos-brown-jr-man-accused-of-killing-ukrainian-refugee-at-charlotte-train-station/3970082/|title=Who is Decarlos Brown Jr? Man accused of killing Ukrainian refugee at Charlotte Train Station|access-date=September 8, 2025|date=September 8, 2025</ref> who was fare-jumping at the time of the killing,<ref name=“farejump” /> had been previously arrested multiple times and convicted of robbery with a dangerous weapon, breaking and entering, and larceny, as well as being charged with assault and misuse of the 911 system.<ref>title=Suspect arrested after deadly stabbing in South End |url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/deadly-stabbing-charlotte-nc-8-22-2025/275-01918405-4783-40c8-963f-0a6dd86c70c6 |access-date=September 8, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250908053519/https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/deadly-stabbing-charlotte-nc-8-22-2025/275-01918405-4783-40c8-963f-0a6dd86c70c6|archive-date=September 8, 2025|date=August 24, 2025|first1=Matthew|last1=Ablon|first2=Nathaniel|last2=Puente|location=North Carolina|work=WCNC Charlotte|publisher=WCNC-TV</ref>

thumb|upright|left|CCTV footage showing Zarutska boarding the train and her killer after stabbing her. On August 22, 2025, Zarutska was at a light rail station in Charlotte's South End neighborhood. Surveillance footage shows Zarutska boarding the train and sitting in front of the perpetrator. No security personnel were present in the train car, though there were officers on board the train one car ahead.<ref name=Gray /><ref> last=Córdova | first=Maricielo Grados | title=Una joven ucraniana refugiada en EEUU fue brutalmente asesinada en un tren de Charlotte | website=Infobae | date=2025-09-06 | url=https://www.infobae.com/estados-unidos/2025/09/06/una-joven-ucraniana-refugiada-en-eeuu-fue-brutalmente-asesinada-en-un-tren-de-charlotte/ | language=es | access-date=2025-09-07</ref> Four minutes later, the perpetrator pulled a pocket knife from his hoodie and stabbed Zarutska three times, including at least once in the neck.<ref> title=Ukrainian refugee, 23, stabbed to death on US train in 'random attack' | website=The Indian Express | date=2025-09-07 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/world/ukraine-refugee-us-north-carolina-train-stabbing-police-cctv-video-10235057/ | access-date=2025-09-07></ref><ref name=Bruno /> The suspect exited the train two minutes later, and was arrested by police on the platform for the murder.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Biswas|first=Shuvrajit Das |date=2025-09-07 |title=Who is Decarlos Brown Jr.? Man arrested for murdering Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in North Carolina |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/who-is-decarlos-brown-jr-man-arrested-for-murdering-ukrainian-refugee-iryna-zarutska-in-north-carolina-101757189263530.html |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en</ref><ref name=Gray>last1=Gray |first1=Daniel |last2=Charlotte |first2=Jordan Kudisch |title=Graphic Content Warning: CATS releases video of deadly light rail stabbing |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2025/09/05/cmpd-releases-video-of-deadly-light-rail-stabbing |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=Spectrum News 1 |language=en</ref><ref name=Bruno>last=Bruno|first=Joe|publisher=[[WSOC-TV]]|date=2025-09-06|title=CATS releases video of deadly random stabbing on light rail|location=North Carolina|url=https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/cats-releases-video-deadly-random-stabbing-light-rail/TLJEYUIKYZBNLGMWR5CA5LUOEA/|access-date=2025-09-08|archive-date=September 8, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250908053516/https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/cats-releases-video-deadly-random-stabbing-light-rail/TLJEYUIKYZBNLGMWR5CA5LUOEA/|website=WSOC TV|language=en|url-status=live</ref> Zarutska was pronounced dead at the scene.<ref> last=Nieves | first=Alicia | title=Ukrainian refugee killed in random stabbing on North Carolina train | website=NewsNation | date=2025-09-07 | url=https://www.newsnationnow.com/crime/ukrainian-refugee-killed-random-stabbing-north-carolina-train/ | access-date=2025-09-07</ref><ref>last=Altman-Devilbiss|first=Alexx |title=What we know about the repeat offender accused of killing Ukrainian refugee on NC train |url=https://wchstv.com/news/nation-world/what-we-know-about-the-repeat-offender-decarlos-brown-jr-accused-of-killing-ukrainian-refugee-iryna-zarutska-on-charlotte-north-carolina-train-first-degree-murder-mecklenburg-county |access-date=September 8, 2025 |work=[[WCHS-TV]] |date=September 8, 2025 |language=en</ref> The suspect was transported for treatment following his arrest, and was charged with first-degree murder.<ref name=LeePierre /><ref>title=Case Update: Homicide Investigation in the Central Division |url=https://www.charlottenc.gov/cmpd/News-Information/Newsroom/Homicide-Investigation-in-the-Central-Division-08.22.25 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department |language=en-US</ref>

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) has not disclosed the motive for the attack. The investigation remains ongoing, with CMPD's homicide unit encouraging the public to provide any relevant information.<ref name=LeePierre />

The fatal stabbing raised concerns about the safety of Charlotte's Lynx Blue Line. Councilman Edwin Peacock stressed fragile public trust and urged Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) and CMPD to review security. CATS confirmed the train operator followed protocol, holding the train until police arrived.<ref name=Gray /> On September 5, 2025, CATS released surveillance video of the stabbing.<ref name=Bruno /><ref>last=Serdyuk|first=Kateryna |date=2025-09-06 |title=Вбивство українки у США: з'явилися кадри з місця злочину |url=https://tsn.ua/ukrayina/vbyvstvo-ukrayinky-u-ssha-ziavylysia-kadry-z-mistsia-zlochynu-2907113.html |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=ТСН.ua |language=uk</ref>

On September 6, 2025, local Charlotte TV channel WBTV quoted the authorities saying that the suspect “did not have a ticket to ride the train”.<ref name=“farejump”>archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250908020323/https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/charlotte-mayor-vi-lyles-statement-deadly-cats-light-rail-stabbing-iryna-zarutska/275-ca0b196b-f997-45a1-9224-717f3bdc4a9f|url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/charlotte-mayor-vi-lyles-statement-deadly-cats-light-rail-stabbing-iryna-zarutska/275-ca0b196b-f997-45a1-9224-717f3bdc4a9f|location=North Carolina|archive-date=September 8, 2025| title='Senseless and tragic': Charlotte mayor issues statement on deadly CATS stabbing |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=[[WBTV]]|first=Hank|last=Lee</ref> He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder for stabbing Zarutska to death.<ref name=LeePierre/>

Following the killing, local officials and the district attorney publicly discussed gaps in Mecklenburg County's mental health and justice systems, using the case as an example in debates over how courts handle defendants with serious mental illness.<ref>last=Sands |first=Alexandria |date=2025-09-04 |title=Mecklenburg's DA acknowledges criminal justice system gaps following light rail killing |url=https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/09/04/light-rail-stabbing-mecklenburg-district-attorney-merriweather-mental-health |access-date=2025-09-07 |work=Axios Charlotte |language=en</ref> The Charlotte Area Transit System said it would seek to increase fare inspections, install new ticket validators, and expand security staffing on trains and platforms.<ref>last=Warrick|first=Michael |date=2025-09-03 |title=Charlotte light rail ticket enforcement expected to increase after stabbing |url=https://www.wbtv.com/2025/09/03/cats-light-rail-ticket-enforcement-expected-increase-after-stabbing/ |access-date=2025-09-07 |work=WBTV |language=en</ref> Mayor Vi Lyles called the killing “senseless and tragic” and urged respect for the victim's family as the investigation continued.<ref>last=Lee|first=Hank |url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/charlotte-mayor-vi-lyles-statement-deadly-cats-light-rail-stabbing-iryna-zarutska/275-ca0b196b-f997-45a1-9224-717f3bdc4a9f | title='Senseless and tragic': Charlotte mayor issues statement on deadly CATS stabbing |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=wbtv.com</ref> Multiple Charlotte City Council officials and candidates in the 2025 Charlotte mayoral election called for greater action to ensure safety on public transit.<ref> last=Ramsey | first=Mary | title=Crime takes focus in Charlotte mayoral race after South End light rail stabbing | website=Charlotte Observer | date=2025-09-03 | url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article311945369.html | access-date=2025-09-07</ref> Dimple Ajmera, a member of the Charlotte city council, said of the crime, “Clearly, our current safety policies are not enough,” and expressed concern that fear of crime in the transportation system might affect an upcoming referendum to expand the city's light rail system.<ref>last=Portillo|first=Ely | title=Charlotte City Council members want answers on light rail crime, safety | url=https://www.wfae.org/crime-justice/2025-08-26/charlotte-city-council-members-want-answers-on-light-rail-crime-safety |date=August 26, 2025|website=WFAE</ref>

The killing garnered national attention in the United States, particularly from right-wing political commentators, and was described by The Charlotte Observer as having become “politicized”.<ref name=Muccigrosso> last1=Muccigrosso | first1=Catherine | last2=Bergeron | first2=Josh | title=Deadly light rail stabbing in Charlotte grows political under national spotlight | website=Charlotte Observer | date=2025-09-07 | url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article312010409.html | access-date=2025-09-07</ref><ref>last1=Song|first1=Vivian|last2=Crilly|first2=Rob | title=Ukrainian, 23, stabbed to death on train in US after fleeing war | website=The Telegraph | date=2025-09-07 | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/07/ukrainian-23-stabbed-to-death-on-train-in-us/ | access-date=2025-09-07 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250908021044/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/07/ukrainian-23-stabbed-to-death-on-train-in-us/ | archive-date=2025-09-08</ref> Conservative commentators accused mainstream media of not coverhing the Charlotte killing, which involved a white victim and a black suspect, with the same intensity as they did in the Jordan Neely case where the situation was opposite.<ref name=“Axios”>last=Caputo |first=Marc |date=2025-09-08 |title=Grisly Charlotte stabbing video fuels MAGA's crime message |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/09/08/iryna-zarutska-stabbing-video-republicans-maga |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=Axios |language=en</ref>

US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy publicly blamed Charlotte city officials for the murder, and businessman Elon Musk criticized judges and district attorneys for allowing “criminals to roam free.”<ref name=Muccigrosso /> Asked about the case by a reporter on Sunday, September 7, U.S. president Donald Trump called it “horrible,” but said that he had not heard about it previously and would know “all about it” the following morning.<ref>last1=Puente |first1=Nathaniel |title=President Trump asked about deadly Charlotte CATS stabbing {{! 'I'll know about it by tomorrow' |url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/president-trump-deadly-charlotte-stabbing/275-fea7ecfc-fd7a-4e16-a284-a52616c3f50f |access-date=8 September 2025 |work=wcnc.com |date=7 September 2025}}</ref> A Trump adviser told Axios that this is going to be an issue he's going to highlight.<ref name=“Axios”/>

The case also received international coverage, including in Ukraine, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stating it was “in constant contact” with investigators.<ref> title=Ukraine's Foreign Ministry comments on fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee in US | website=[[Ukrainska Pravda]] | date=2025-08-27 | url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/08/27/7528013/ | access-date=2025-09-07</ref><ref>last=Bandouil|first=Sonya | title=Ukrainian refugee stabbed to death in North Carolina, suspect charged with murder | website=The Kyiv Independent | date=2025-09-07 | url=https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-refugee-stabbed-to-death-in-north-carolina-suspect-charged-with-murder/ | access-date=2025-09-07</ref> In the United Kingdom, The Times noted that the case had “fuelled a debate about crime rates in the United States”,<ref> title=Murder of Ukrainian refugee in US ignites row over race | work=[[The Times]] | date=2025-09-08 | url=https://www.thetimes.com/us/news-today/article/iryna-zarutska-killing-video-charlotte-north-carolina-zr0zwndjs | access-date=2025-09-08 |first=Joshua |last=Thurston |archive-date=2025-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250908093837/https://www.thetimes.com/us/news-today/article/iryna-zarutska-killing-video-charlotte-north-carolina-zr0zwndjs |url-access=subscription</ref> while The Daily Telegraph noted the case “has triggered uproar over crime in the US”.<ref> title=Ukrainian, 23, stabbed to death on train in US after fleeing war | work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | date=2025-09-07 | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/07/ukrainian-23-stabbed-to-death-on-train-in-us/ | access-date=2025-09-08 |first=Vivian |last=Song |first2=Rob |last2=Crilly </ref>

A GoFundMe crowd funding page that was opened for the suspect was closed by the company, after triggering public outrage.<ref>last=King|first=Jordan|date=2025-09-08 |title=GoFundMe responds to Decarlos Brown Jr. fundraisers |url=https://www.newsweek.com/gofundme-decarlos-brown-jr-fundraiser-iryna-zarutska-north-carolina-train-2126159 |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=Newsweek |language=en</ref><ref>date=2025-09-08 |title='Horrific': Massive outrage over fundraiser for ex-con Decarlos Brown Jr, GoFundMe takes down pages |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/horrific-massive-outrage-over-fundraiser-for-ex-con-decarlos-brown-jr-gofundme-takes-down-pages/articleshow/123765690.cms |access-date=2025-09-08 |work=The Times of India</ref>

* Murder of Tessa Majors

reflist

zarutska_iryna 2025 deaths 2025 murders in the United States 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina August 2025 crimes in the United States Deaths by person in North Carolina Deaths by stabbing in North Carolina Violence against women in North Carolina Ukrainian refugees