Officials last week released video footage showing the moments leading up to the killing of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian war refugee, on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, prompting questions about crime and public safety.
Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, is accused of killing the woman. He was charged with first-degree murder in August, police said in an Aug. 29 statement.
The footage was released by the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) on Sept. 5.
Here’s what we know.
Video Shows Moments Before Incident
Brown is allegedly shown pulling out a knife and standing up behind 23-year-old Zarutska before the video cuts as he prepares to stab her, according to the footage. The video footage doesn’t show the stabbing occurring.
Zarutska appears to be unaware of Brown’s actions and is scrolling on her phone.
The footage later shows Brown walking through the train with blood dripping on the floor as he carries a weapon. Bystanders do not appear to take notice of Brown or the woman who was fatally stabbed behind them.
Brown was arrested in August in relation to the incident, officials said in a statement at the time.
Court and jail records show that Brown has past convictions for robbery, larceny, breaking and entering, and shoplifting. He served five years in prison for armed robbery.
It’s not clear whether Brown has legal representation.
Moved to Escape War
According to an obituary, Zarutska was born in 2002 in Kyiv, Ukraine, and moved to the United States in mid-2022 with family members “to escape the war” with Russia that erupted just months earlier.
“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,” the obituary read.
“She dreamed of pursuing a career as a Veterinary Assistant while also working toward her independence by learning to drive. Remarkably, she became fluent in English within a very short time, reflecting her determination and love of learning.”
A GoFundMe was also established, raising $81,000 for her family as of the morning of Sept. 8.
‘Heartbreaking Attack’
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles released a statement after the video footage emerged.
“The video of the heartbreaking attack that took Iryna Zarutska’s life is now public. I want to thank our media partners and community members who have chosen not to repost or share the footage out of respect for Iryna’s family,” Lyles said in a statement posted to X.
“This was a senseless and tragic loss. My prayers remain with her loved ones as they continue to grieve through an unimaginable time. Like so many of you, I’m heartbroken – and I’ve been thinking hard about what safety really looks like in our city. I remain committed to doing all we can to protect our residents and ensure Charlotte is a place where everyone feels safe.”
On the morning of Sept. 8, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said in a statement that he was appalled by the video footage.
“I am heartbroken for the family of Iryna Zarutska, who lost their loved one to this senseless act of violence,” he said. “I am appalled by the footage of her murder. We need more cops on the beat to keep people safe.”
‘National Epidemic’
When reporters asked about Zarutska’s death, President Donald Trump indicated that he had not heard much about the incident.
“I’ll know all about it by tomorrow morning,” he said on Sept. 7 at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
One Republican said that Lyles did not condemn the violence or the criminal’s actions.
“The Mayor’s refusal to condemn senseless, horrific, and preventable violence is as telling as it is despicable. Violent criminals, regardless of who they are or what they look like, need to be in jail,” Rep. Brad Knott (R-N.C.) said in a response to the mayor’s post on social media.
The Epoch Times contacted Lyles’s office for comment on Monday.
White House adviser Stephen Miller commented on the video footage over the weekend, saying that Democratic officials have allegedly “organized” themselves around the defense of criminals, responding to a post asking about judges who allowed Brown “to go free after each arrest.”
“The violence in Charlotte is a microcosm of a national epidemic. Americans deserve better than Democrats’ soft-on-crime policies,” Rep. Mark Harris (R-N.C.) said in a post on X.
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