Decarlos Brown Jr. faces federal charges for the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, on a Charlotte Area Transit System train on August 22. The U.S. Department of Justice charged Brown with committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system, making him eligible for the death penalty.
Zarutska, who fled the war in Ukraine with her family in 2022, was attacked while returning home from work. Brown, 34, stabbed Zarutska without any prior interaction between them. The incident was captured on surveillance video, which has fueled public anger.
Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the severity of the crime, stating, “We will seek the maximum penalty for this unforgivable act of violence.” Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles has announced increased security measures on the city’s transit system in response to the attack. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized the city’s safety measures, saying, “If mayors can’t keep their trains and buses safe, they don’t deserve the taxpayers’ money.”
Brown, who has a history of criminal activity and mental health issues, was arrested shortly after the incident. He has been charged with first-degree murder and is scheduled to appear in court on September 19. Zarutska’s family has decided to bury her in the United States, honoring her love for her new home.
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