On August 22nd, Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, was riding Charlotte Area Transit Systems (CATS) Light Rail was stabbed to death by a homeless career criminal.
At 9:46 on August 22nd, Zarutska boarded the CATS train after her shift at a local pizzeria. Four minutes later, she was then ambushed by the homeless man sitting behind her, stabbed three times including once in the neck, according to Charlotte-Mecklenberg Police Department (CMPD). (RELATED: 78 Sheriffs Endorse Jason Miyares for AG)
Officers responded just before 10 p.m., and was pronounced dead after suffering the fatal stab wounds at the East/West Boulevard light rail station in South End, Charlotte. The graphic security footage shows Zarustska boarding the train and moments later being stabbed.
The suspect was seen shedding his sweatshirt as he walked up the train and waited at the doors for the next stop. Zarustska can be seen clutching her neck as she appeared to bleed out in her seat.
The suspect was later identified as Decarlos Brown Jr., age 34. Brown was transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries after being arrested by Police at the next stop. Brown was later charged with first degree murder. The police also recovered the folding knife used in the attack at the platform.
Brown Jr, has been arrested multiple times since 2011. He was arrested for felony larceny, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and communicating threats, according to court records obtained by The New York Post. (RELATED: “Dangerous and Reckless”: Spanberger Faces Backlash Over Sanctuary State Pledge)
Brown was a homeless man released after serving a 5 year sentence for robbery with a deadly weapon according to WSOC-TV. The Charlotte Observer said that other charges were dropped. (RELATED: 78 Sheriffs Endorse Jason Miyares for AG)
“My prayers remain with her loved ones as they continue to grieve through an unimaginable time. Like so many of you, I’m heartbroken — and I’ve been thinking hard about what safety really looks like in our city,” Lyles said. “I remain committed to doing all we can to protect our residents and ensure Charlotte is a place where everyone feels safe,” said Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles in a statement.