The family of a Ukrainian refugee who was fatally stabbed while on a train in a violent assault has spoken out, criticizing authorities for what they perceive as security failures. Iryna Zarutska had fled Ukraine following the invasion by Russian troops on February 24, 2022, seeking safety in Charlotte, North Carolina.

On August 22, Iryna was on the South End light rail train in Charlotte when a homeless man with a history of criminal activities attacked her with a pocketknife, causing fatal injuries. Her family expressed deep sorrow over her tragic death, stating that she had come to the United States in search of peace and security, only to have her life cut short in a horrific manner.

The family is calling for a thorough investigation into the security procedures and oversight within the public transportation system, citing a lack of visible security presence on the Lynx Blue Line. They believe that better safety measures could have prevented the deadly attack. They are determined to ensure that such a tragedy does not recur in the future.

Video footage of the disturbing incident circulated online, but the family has requested privacy and respect for Iryna’s memory by refraining from sharing or reposting the footage. Zarutska had been working diligently to build a new life in Charlotte, holding a job at a local pizzeria and studying English at a community college. On the night of the attack, she had texted her partner about heading home but never made it back.

Upon arriving at the train station, her loved ones discovered that she had been pronounced dead at the scene. The perpetrator, identified as Decarlos Brown Jr., a homeless man with a criminal record including assault charges, was swiftly arrested after the incident. He faces serious criminal charges and the possibility of the death penalty if found guilty.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has vowed to pursue the maximum penalty for Brown, condemning the crime and emphasizing the need for justice for Iryna Zarutska. The tragic murder has sparked discussions about public safety and the handling of criminal offenders, with authorities under pressure to address the security shortcomings that led to this devastating loss of life.