A federal investigation has been initiated into the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina. Authorities have charged the suspect under federal transportation crime laws.
Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, faces federal charges for causing death on a mass transportation system in connection with the August 22, 2025, incident involving the 23-year-old victim. The Justice Department announced the charges on September 9. If convicted, Brown could face life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty.
Surveillance footage from the Charlotte Area Transit System captures Zarutska boarding the Lynx Blue Line at 9:46 p.m. on August 22 at the East/West Boulevard station. She sat in front of Brown, who was wearing a red hoodie. According to an FBI complaint filed in U.S. District Court, Brown pulled a knife from his pocket around 9:50 p.m. and attacked the victim three times from behind.
The footage shows Brown moving through the railcar post-attack, with what appears to be blood on the floor as he distances himself from Zarutska. Initially, fellow passengers seemed unaware of the incident, but soon rushed to aid Zarutska, who died from a stab wound to her neck.
Brown was apprehended on the outbound LYNX blue line platform at the station where the incident occurred. Investigators discovered a pocketknife and a red shirt stained with suspected blood at the scene. He was initially charged with first-degree murder at the state level.
Zarutska immigrated to the United States from Ukraine in August 2022 with her family to escape the conflict with Russia. She recently obtained a work permit and was employed at a senior citizens center and a pizza place, while also caring for animals in her neighborhood. She was pursuing community college courses to improve her English and had recently moved in with her partner.
On the night of the incident, Zarutska was heading home from her job at Zepeddie’s Pizzeria, still in her work attire. She had texted her partner to inform them she was on her way home. When she didn’t arrive as expected, her family checked her phone’s location and discovered she remained at the station.
Brown has an extensive criminal history, with 14 prior cases in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, including felony breaking and entering, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and larceny convictions dating back to 2011. He served five years for robbery with a dangerous weapon and was released in September 2020. He was arrested again in January 2025 for misusing the 911 system and appeared in court for that case in July.
Court records indicate Brown is diagnosed with schizophrenia and is homeless. He was ordered to undergo a competency evaluation for trial. U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson noted that additional federal charges could be filed, and Brown was in state custody as of September 9.
Audio from a jailhouse call between Brown and his sister, Tracey Brown, reveals his disjointed explanation for attacking Zarutska. In the recording, made on August 28, Brown claims something internal compelled him to take Iryna’s life.
“He said he was on his way to the hospital, the mental hospital… I just wanted to know why her, because he had been on the train for a while before she got on. And he said, Well, ‘she was reading my mind.’ He said, ‘she was reading my thoughts,’” Tracey recalled.
FBI Director Kash Patel described the attack as disgraceful, stating the agency quickly joined the investigation to ensure justice. James C. Barnacle Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Charlotte Division, questioned how Brown was still on the streets despite numerous police encounters and his January arrest by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.
Attorney General Pam Bondi described Zarutska as a young woman pursuing the American dream and directed federal prosecutors to seek the maximum penalty. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the Department of Transportation would investigate Charlotte over its failure to protect the victim and examine other crime-affected cities nationwide.
President Donald Trump condemned the attack after reviewing the surveillance footage, calling it horrible and questioning why the suspect was free. Trump attributed the incident to cashless bail policies and Democratic officials.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles initially faced criticism for focusing on mental health and homelessness in response to the incident. Following backlash, she acknowledged the need for legal changes to prevent repeat offenders from being on the streets and announced increased patrols of the transit system and plans to hire 30 additional security personnel.
Zarutska’s family described her as kind, hardworking, and loved by family and friends. She graduated from Synergy College in Kyiv with a degree in art and restoration and aspired to be a veterinary assistant. Her employer remembered her as a dedicated employee and true friend, and her death represents a significant loss.
