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.
James C. Barnacle, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, joined Ferguson in making the announcement.
“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,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “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.”
“The brutal attack on Iryna Zarutska on the Charlotte Light Rail was a disgraceful act that should never happen in America,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “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.”
“This brutal attack on an innocent woman simply trying to get to her destination is an attack on the American way of life,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “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.”
“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,” said James C. Barnacle Jr., FBI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge.
According to court documents filed with the criminal complaint, police responded around 9:55 p.m. on August 22 after receiving reports that a woman had been stabbed aboard a Lynx Blue Line train car in Charlotte. Officers found Iryna Zarutska inside with fatal stab wounds; evidence collected included a pocketknife found at the scene.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows Zarutska entering and sitting down ahead of Brown before he pulled out a knife approximately four minutes later and stabbed her three times from behind before walking away from her seat area. Police arrested Brown shortly after on the platform.
If convicted under these charges, Brown could face up to life imprisonment or potentially receive capital punishment; his final sentence would be determined by judicial guidelines.
The case is under investigation by both local law enforcement and federal authorities working together.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Odulio is prosecuting for the government.
Brown remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
