Individual accused in Ukrainian woman’s stabbing incident in North Carolina faces federal criminal charges | North Carolina

The Department of Justice has charged a man accused of fatally stabbing a Ukrainian refugee on a North Carolina commuter train last month with a federal crime that could result in the death penalty. Decarlos Brown Jr., who had 14 prior criminal arrests before the incident, was accused of pulling out a knife and killing 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska in an apparent random attack captured on video. This case has sparked a debate on whether cities like Charlotte are doing enough to address violent crime, mental illness, and transit safety. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that Zarutska’s death was a result of failed soft-on-crime policies and vowed to seek the maximum penalty for the perpetrator. Zaurutska had fled Ukraine to escape the war and was living in a bomb shelter prior to her arrival in the US. The attack, captured on video, shows Brown pulling out a pocketknife and slashing Zarutska’s neck without any interaction. Brown was federally charged with causing death on a mass transportation system, which carries a penalty of up to life in prison or the death penalty. Additional charges could be brought as the investigation continues. The state case charging Brown with first-degree murder will run parallel to the federal case. The death penalty is also a potential punishment for first-degree murder in North Carolina, but there has not been an execution since 2006 due to legal challenges. Brown had cycled through the criminal justice system for over a decade and had been released without bail earlier this year after repeatedly calling 911 claiming people were trying to control him. His mother had also sought an involuntary psychiatric commitment after he became violent at home. The Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office did not comment, but the mayor of Charlotte, Vi Lyles, acknowledged the incident as a failure by the courts and magistrates. Lyles, who is seeking a fifth term, has increased security along transit lines in response to the fatal stabbing. Republicans have criticized the city’s response to the incident.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/09/north-carolina-ukraine-woman-stabbing