15/09/2025
What began as an ordinary ride home turned into a horrifying tragedy for 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska. On a late-night journey, she boarded the Blue Line train at Scaleybark station, just a few miles outside Charlotte’s downtown. Wearing khaki pants, a dark shirt, and a Zepeddie’s Pizzeria hat from her workplace, Zarutska blended in as just another commuter.
Like many passengers, she sat quietly, eyes fixed on her phone, unaware of the danger seated just behind her. In the row behind, Decarlos Brown Jr., dressed in a red sweatshirt, appeared to be just another passenger. But within minutes, the calm atmosphere shattered.
Brown reportedly reached into his clothing and pulled out what seemed to be a knife. He hesitated briefly, gazing out the window, before suddenly springing forward. In one swift, violent motion, he thrust his arm over the seat and stabbed Zarutska in the face and throat. Shocked passengers rushed to her aid as she collapsed, clutching her wounds, but the injuries proved fatal.
Zarutska demise on the train, leaves bystanders traumatized. The senseless killing sent shockwaves through Charlotte, sparking outrage and grief for a young woman who had sought safety and a new beginning in America.
Brown was quickly taken into custody and now faces first-degree murder charges. The case has reignited conversations about public safety, mental health, and the vulnerability of refugees seeking a better life.
