CHARLOTTE, N.C. — What began as an ordinary evening commute turned into tragedy on August 22, 2025, when 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who had fled the war in her homeland, was fatally stabbed aboard Charlotte’s Lynx Blue Line light rail train.
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The brutal and unprovoked attack, captured on surveillance cameras, has left the community shaken and her family—still in Ukraine—grieving a devastating loss from thousands of miles away.
A Sudden Attack
Iryna had just finished her shift at Zepeddie’s Pizzeria and boarded the train around 10 p.m., still in her work uniform. She sat quietly, unaware that just a few feet behind her sat 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr.
For several minutes, nothing appeared out of the ordinary. Then, without warning, Brown unfolded a pocketknife, stood up, and attacked. He stabbed Iryna three times, including once in the neck, before calmly walking away and removing his bloodstained sweatshirt.
Other passengers watched in horror as Iryna collapsed, clutching her throat. Despite desperate efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Suspect Arrested
When the train pulled into the next station, Brown exited and was immediately taken into custody by officers who had been alerted to the attack. He now faces murder charges and is being held as investigators work to determine a motive. Authorities say the assault appeared entirely unprovoked.
A Life Cut Short
Iryna’s death has devastated Charlotte’s Ukrainian refugee community, many of whom came to the U.S. after Russia’s invasion in 2022. Friends and coworkers described her as hardworking, gentle, and full of hope for the future.
“She came here looking for peace and safety,” one friend said. “To have her life taken this way is unthinkable.”
Iryna’s family in Ukraine is now grappling with the painful reality that their daughter, who fled war for safety, was killed in a senseless act of violence abroad.
Community in Mourning
The attack has raised serious concerns about safety on Charlotte’s public transit system. Officials have pledged to review security measures and increase police presence on the Lynx Blue Line.
Meanwhile, tributes have poured in for Iryna. A candlelight vigil is being organized to honor her memory, offering the community a chance to grieve and stand in solidarity.
Remembering Iryna
Friends recall Iryna’s resilience, determination, and kindness—qualities that made her stand out in both her personal and work life. She carried dreams of building a future in Charlotte, dreams now tragically cut short.
Her story has resonated far beyond the city, serving as both a reminder of life’s fragility and a call to better protect vulnerable communities.
As Charlotte mourns, one message has echoed across vigils and tributes: Iryna Zarutska’s life mattered. Though her journey ended in tragedy, her memory will endure in the hearts of those who knew her—and in a community determined not to forget.