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Ukrainian Woman, 23, Fatally Stabbed Near Charlotte Light Rail as Suspect Is Charged With Murder

The killing has intensified pressure on city leaders to shore up transit safety.

Overview

  • Iryna Zarutska, 23, was found with multiple stab wounds late Friday at the East/West Boulevard station in South End and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
  • CMPD identified 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr. as the suspect; he remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and is charged with first-degree murder pending booking upon release.
  • Investigators have not released a motive and have not confirmed whether the attack occurred on the train, the platform, or nearby.
  • Court records show Brown has a lengthy arrest history and was the subject of a January welfare check where he made delusional claims, and he is listed as homeless in recent filings.
  • Zarutska’s family launched a GoFundMe that has drawn local donations, and Charlotte City Council members have publicly called for immediate steps to restore rider confidence on the transit system.