Ukrainian refugee fatally stabbed on Charlotte light rail by homeless ex-convict
CCTV footage sparks outrage
Charlotte: A chilling CCTV video has emerged showing the fatal stabbing of a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, Iryna Zarutska, aboard a Charlotte light rail train. The disturbing footage, widely circulated on social media, captures the random and unprovoked attack by a homeless ex-convict, 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr.
The incident occurred on the Lynx Blue Line on the night of August 22, as Zarutska, dressed in her pizzeria uniform, boarded the train at 9:46 p.m. According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), she sat down and appeared focused on her phone, unaware of the danger lurking behind her.
Just four minutes later, Brown pulled out a folding knife and stabbed Zarutska three times, including once in the neck. The video reportedly shows him calmly walking through the train car, removing his sweatshirt, and standing near the exit doors as blood dripped from his hands. Zarutska collapsed in her seat, clutching her neck. She was later pronounced dead on the train.
Brown exited at the next station, where police recovered the weapon near the platform. He was treated for a hand injury at a hospital before being arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Court records reveal that Brown has a lengthy criminal history, including prior arrests for robbery with a dangerous weapon, larceny, and communicating threats. He served five years in prison for a previous armed robbery. In January, he was also charged with misusing 911 after allegedly claiming he was being controlled by “man-made material” inside his body.
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) has since responded by announcing a series of safety upgrades, including:
1. Hiring a chief safety and security officer
2. Tripling the public transit safety budget
3. Upgrading surveillance cameras throughout the system
The Charlotte City Council is scheduled to review additional safety measures, including expanded police presence on public transit, at a meeting on September 22.
Zarutska had recently arrived in the United States after fleeing war-torn Ukraine, seeking a safe and hopeful future. Her family has set up a GoFundMe campaign, which has already raised over $38,000, to help with funeral expenses and support during this tragedy.
The CMPD investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine a motive for the attack.
She came to this country to be safe.
— Jennifer Coffindaffer (@CoffindafferFBI) September 7, 2025
She came here to escape war.
In a twisted irony, Iryna Zarutska was fatally stabbed, including once in the neck, as she commuted aboard a North Carolina train.
She was so very beautiful.
Please, if it can be avoided, don't sit with… pic.twitter.com/PMGEWn8vPx
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Former minister C M Ibrahim announces to launch new regional party for Karnataka
Kalaburagi: Two years after being expelled from the Janata Dal (Secular), former minister C.M. Ibrahim has announced that he will launch a new regional political party in Karnataka on January 24, reported Deccan Herald.
Speaking at a meeting organised by the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Andolana in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Ibrahim confirmed the birth of the new party.
The 77-year-old politician stated he would soon be meeting with other like-minded individuals to choose a symbol for the party.
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Ibrahim emphasised that the organisation would be guided by the principles of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
A veteran politician, Ibrahim served as Union Civil Aviation Minister during the tenure of H.D. Deve Gowda as Prime Minister and later headed the Karnataka unit of the Janata Dal (Secular). He was expelled from the JD(S) in 2023 on charges of anti-party activities.
His exit from the party followed sharp differences over the JD(S) decision to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As the then state president of the JD(S), Ibrahim had publicly criticised the alliance, claiming it was finalised without his knowledge. He had also reportedly convened meetings of his supporters and expressed support for the INDIA bloc.
