A Ukrainian refugee was fatally stabbed on a Charlotte train by a career criminal, sparking national outrage and renewed calls for harsher sentencing laws. Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, faces federal charges of violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death after the August 22, 2025, attack on Iryna Zarutska, 23, aboard a Lynx Blue Line train. Surveillance footage shows Brown, who had a history of violent offenses, approached Zarutska from behind and stabbed her multiple times before fleeing the scene. She was pronounced dead at the location.
The case has intensified debates over criminal justice policies, with North Carolina recently reinstating the death penalty under “Iryna’s Law,” a new statute targeting violent crimes. Federal prosecutors noted Brown’s potential eligibility for capital punishment if convicted. Authorities revealed he shouted, “I got that white girl” during or after the assault, prompting federal scrutiny as a possible hate crime. Brown’s criminal record includes a 2015 armed robbery conviction and recent misdemeanor charges, leading his sister to criticize the justice system for releasing repeat offenders.
The killing has also drawn political attention, with former President Donald J. Trump citing the incident during a September speech to condemn Democratic crime policies. “In Charlotte, North Carolina, we saw the results of these policies when a 23-year-old woman who came here from Ukraine met her bloody end on a public train,” he said. The case underscores ongoing tensions over public safety, mental health, and sentencing reforms in the United States.
