Ukrainian refugee killed in random stabbing on North Carolina train

(NewsNation) — Police in Charlotte, North Carolina, are investigating a random murder that took place on the city's light rail system last month.

Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who came to the United States following the Russian invasion of her country, was fatally stabbed on her way home from work close to 10 p.m. on Aug. 22, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Surveillance video released by Charlotte Area Transit shows the woman boarding a light rail Lynx car and sitting down in front of a man, identified as 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr. After nearly five minutes, the video shows Brown pulling out a folding knife and attacking her.

Police say he stabbed Zarutska three times, including a fatal blow to the neck, before walking the length of the train and exiting. Transit police arrived within minutes, but she was pronounced dead.

Brown, who police say is homeless and has a criminal record, was arrested and charged with murder.

His most recent encounter with police was in January, when he was charged with misusing 911 during a mental health episode but was never hospitalized or jailed.

Decarlos Brown Jr. was arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee. (Courtesy Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office and Charlotte Transit Authority)

Officials are searching for a motive.

Zarutska's family created a GoFundMe to help pay for funeral expenses. As of Sunday morning, it has raised more than $48,000.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles issued a statement on Saturday, saying, "The video of the heartbreaking attack that took Iryna Zarutska’s life is now public."

"Like so many of you, I’m heartbroken — and I’ve been thinking hard about what safety really looks like in our city. I remain committed to doing all we can to protect our residents and ensure Charlotte is a place where everyone feels safe," Lyles continued.

A spokesperson for Charlotte's Lynx transit system said this week that the agency is short-staffed by 35 people, nearly 15% shy of what they consider to be an ideal number of police.