What should have been an ordinary commute turned into a tragedy that has shocked a city and drawn global attention.
On August 22, 2025, 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who had fled the war in her homeland, was fatally stabbed aboard a Charlotte light rail train. Now, newly released surveillance footage from the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) shows the horrifying final moments of her life — a moment of senseless violence that has left her family, community, and nation in mourning.
The attack unfolded as the train approached the East/West Boulevard Station. Surveillance video shows Iryna seated in an aisle seat, wearing a black shirt and cap, listening to music through her headphones. Behind her sat Decarlos Brown, 27, dressed in a red hooded jacket.
There was no interaction. No warning.
Then, without provocation, Brown pulled out a knife and launched a sudden, brutal assault — stabbing Iryna multiple times in front of horrified passengers.
People nearby rushed to help, trying desperately to stop the bleeding and comfort her as the train continued toward the station.
Brown, meanwhile, walked to the opposite end of the car, removed his hoodie, and calmly waited as the train came to a stop. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police were already on the platform, ready to apprehend him.
Charges and Criminal History
Brown has been charged with first-degree murder and is now permanently banned from using CATS services. Authorities have confirmed he has a documented history of criminal offenses and mental health struggles — a fact that has sparked renewed conversations about public safety and mental health support systems.
The release of the footage prompted immediate reactions from city and national leaders.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles called the killing a “senseless and tragic loss” and extended her deepest condolences to Iryna’s family. She praised the public and media for choosing not to share the graphic video, calling their restraint a powerful act of respect.
“I ask that we honor Iryna’s memory with compassion, not with images of her final moments,” Mayor Lyles said.
A Life of Courage, Creativity, and Hope
Iryna Zarutska was born on May 22, 2002, in Kyiv, Ukraine. In August 2022, she arrived in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her mother, sister, and brother — escaping the war that devastated her country.
She was not just a survivor.
She was an artist.
A dreamer.
A woman building a new life with quiet strength.
She graduated from Synergy College in Kyiv with a degree in Art and Restoration, and her passion for creativity ran deep — from painting and sculpting to designing colorful clothing that reflected her vibrant spirit.
She loved animals, often walking neighbors’ pets and sharing her radiant smile with everyone she met. Friends and family describe her as kind, gentle, and full of life.
She dreamed of becoming a veterinary assistant and was working hard toward independence — learning to drive, mastering English, and embracing her new home with courage.
Her mother, Anna Zarutska, remembered her daughter’s peaceful nature — how she could sleep deeply, like an artist lost in dreams.
“She had the gift of rest,” Anna said. “Even in chaos, she found peace.”
A Family Shattered
Iryna is survived by her parents, Anna and Stanislav Zarutskyi; her sister Valeriia; her brother Bohdan; her partner, Stas Nikulytsia; her aunt Valeria Haskell (Frank Scott); cousins Vera and Viktor Falkner; and countless friends and loved ones.
Her family says she will be remembered not for how she died — but for how she lived.
For her kindness.
For her art.
For the joy she brought into every room.
In lieu of flowers, the family plans to establish a memorial fund in her name — a tribute to a life cut short, but one that continues to inspire.
National Response
The attack drew condemnation from public figures, including former President Donald Trump, who called the video “so horrible” and labeled Brown a “lunatic” and “madman.” Trump expressed sympathy for Iryna’s family and used the tragedy to emphasize his stance on crime and public safety.
But for those who knew Iryna, the focus remains on her legacy — not the violence that took her.
She was a young woman who escaped war only to lose her life in a place she believed was safe.
And now, Charlotte — and the world — mourns a life of promise, stolen too soon.