Decarlos Brown Jr. Indicted for Fatal Stabbing of Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte Light Rail
CHARLOTTE, NC — The man accused of fatally stabbing a 23-year-old Ukrainian woman aboard Charlotte’s light rail is now facing federal charges that could make him eligible for the death penalty, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.
Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, was arrested on August 22 after allegedly stabbing Iryna Zarutska multiple times while she was commuting home after work. Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who had lived in a bomb shelter before moving to the U.S., was killed without provocation, officials say.
According to federal authorities, Brown has now been charged with committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system, a charge that allows for capital punishment under federal law.
“This brutal attack on an innocent woman simply trying to get to her destination is an attack on the American way of life,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson during a press conference. “Iryna deserves justice, and we will bring justice to her and her family.”
Ferguson confirmed that he and FBI Special Agent James Barnacle Jr. have spoken to Zarutska’s mother and uncle, calling the crime a “terroristic act.”
Security Lapses Spark Outrage
The attack has ignited national attention and criticism of the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), which admitted there was no security personnel aboard the train at the time. A spokesperson said officers were on a train “directly in front” of the incident but not present in the car where the stabbing occurred.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles has since ordered immediate changes, including:
Re-deploying CATS security for stronger presence on Blue Line platforms
Increasing police patrols at key locations
Rolling out new safety units, including bike teams and urban terrain vehicles
“We owe it to our residents to make sure our public transit system and our city are safe and secure,” Lyles said.
The Attack
According to the FBI affidavit, Zarutska boarded the Lynx Blue Line and sat in an aisle seat directly in front of Brown, who wore an orange sweatshirt. Without any interaction, Brown allegedly pulled out a knife, stood up, and stabbed Zarutska three times.
She was pronounced dead at the scene. Brown fled but was arrested shortly after with non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities confirmed that surveillance footage captured the entire incident.
Criminal History of the Suspect
Brown’s criminal record spans 14 prior charges, including:
Larceny
Breaking and entering
Robbery with a dangerous weapon (served 5 years beginning in 2015)
Despite a January 2025 arrest, Brown was not incarcerated at the time of Zarutska’s murder. The DOJ and FBI have not commented on whether the White House has been briefed on the case.
Victim’s Background and Family Response
Zarutska, who worked at a senior care center and took care of pets in her neighborhood, had recently moved in with her partner. Despite outreach from the Ukrainian Embassy, her family chose to bury her in the U.S.
“No, she loved America. We will bury her here,” said her family, according to Ferguson.
