A Charlotte man has been charged with a federal crime following the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska on the city’s Lynx Blue Line light rail system. The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, Russ Ferguson, announced that Decarlos Dejuan Brown, Jr., 34, faces one count of committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system.
The announcement was made in coordination with James C. Barnacle, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Charlotte Division.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “Iryna Zarutska was a young woman living the American dream — her horrific murder is a direct result of failed soft-on-crime policies that put criminals before innocent people. I have directed my attorneys to federally prosecute DeCarlos Brown Jr., a repeat violent offender with a history of violent crime, for murder. We will seek the maximum penalty for this unforgivable act of violence — he will never again see the light of day as a free man.”
FBI Director Kash Patel said, “The brutal attack on Iryna Zarutska on the Charlotte Light Rail was a disgraceful act that should never happen in America. The FBI jumped to assist in this investigation immediately to ensure justice is served and the perpetrator is never released from jail to kill again. I want to thank Attorney General Bondi for her pursuit of today’s federal charges, which are the first step toward delivering justice for Iryna and her family – as well as the millions of Americans who deserve to live in our great American cities free from being targeted by violent criminals.”
U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson commented, “This brutal attack on an innocent woman simply trying to get to her destination is an attack on the American way of life. Of course, crimes like this affect the victim the most—Iryna deserves justice, and we will bring justice to her and her family. But crimes like this also affect everyone who relies on mass transportation to get to and from work and go about their daily lives, and federal charges are necessary to protect the public and ensure confidence in our transportation systems.”
James C. Barnacle Jr., FBI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge added, “Iryna Zarutska had likely taken that train ride many times before. She was probably tired after a day at work and just wanted to go home, but tragically she never made it. We hope this federal charge will help bring her family a measure of justice and the courts will hold the subject charged in this horrific act accountable. Everyone in this country deserves to go work, to school, or just across town without fear of being attacked.”
According to court documents filed with the criminal complaint, officers with Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department responded at around 9:55 p.m. on August 22 after receiving reports that a woman had been stabbed aboard a Lynx Blue Line train car. Officers found Zarutska inside; she had sustained fatal stab wounds. A pocketknife and other items were recovered at the scene.
Surveillance footage reportedly showed Zarutska entering the train car and sitting ahead of Brown; four minutes later he allegedly pulled out a knife and struck her three times from behind before leaving his seat.
Police arrested Brown shortly after locating him on the light rail platform.
If convicted, Brown could face up to life imprisonment or death; sentencing would be determined by court guidelines.
The case is being investigated by both local police and federal agents.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Odulio is prosecuting.
Brown remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
