Video of Chilling Light Rail Attack…
Iryna Zarutska was a Ukrainian refugee who came to the United States for a better life. But she lost her life while sitting on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, in a random attack captured on a chilling video, recently released by WBTV.
“The video of the heartbreaking attack that took Iryna Zarutska’s life is now public,” Charlotte, NC, Mayor Vi Lyles wrote on X.
The video was also released by CATS light rail to WCNC-TV.
The edited version of the disturbing video has provoked outrage on social media. It shows Zarutska sitting quietly in a seat on the train looking down at her phone when the man sitting behind her suddenly acts agitated and then leaps forward. This edited version of the video stops right before the stabbing:
The man, later identified by police as Decarlos Brown, stabbed Zarutska “in the throat three times with a pocket knife,” WCNC reported. The station confirmed that they were strangers who had not interacted at all before the attack.
In a press release, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department confirmed, “The victim in this case has been identified as Iryna Zarutska, 23.”
Zarutska was active on Instagram, where she posted selfies and photos in swimsuits. A GoFundMe page in her memory has raised more than $48,000.
“Our Valeria has suffered a terrible tragedy. Yesterday, her niece Ira, who was 23 years old was killed,” the post reads. “Ira had recently arrived in the United States, seeking safety from the war and hoping for a new beginning. Tragically, her life was cut short far too soon. This is an irreparable loss for her family.”
“As a result of the continued investigation, Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, was identified as a suspect in this case,” police wrote. “Brown was transported to Atrium Health with non-life-threatening injuries sustained at the time of the incident.”
According to WCNC, the stabbing occurred 10 p.m. Aug 22 “near the light rail station along Camden Road where East Boulevard and West Boulevard meet in South End” in Charlotte.
Brown “will be arrested upon his release. He is charged with First Degree Murder. A third party was also transported to Atrium Health at the time of the incident for a non-related medical event,” the police added. “Ms. Zarutska’s next of kin has been notified of her death and of this case update.”
In her X post, the mayor wrote, “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. This was a senseless and tragic loss.”
She added, “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.”
Some people on social media criticized the mayor’s statement in her comment thread, arguing that the edited version of the video should be seen to inform the public.
According to WCNC, the murder has ignited concerns about mental health and public safety in Charlotte, as Brown did not have a ticket to ride the train.
Brown “has 14 previous court cases in Mecklenburg County,” the station reported, including robbery with a dangerous weapon, breaking and entering, and larceny.