Iryna Zarutska Charlotte Train Murder: Did She Know Suspect Decarlos Brown Jr.?

Late on August 22, 2025, Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who fled war in search of safety, was fatally stabbed inside a Charlotte light rail car in North Carolina, U.S.

Surveillance footage released by authorities shows her quietly riding the train, unaware of the danger behind her. In a terrifying moment, a man identified as Decarlos Brown Jr. lunged and stabbed her multiple times. One blow even directly struck her throat. She died at the scene. Brown left calmly at the next stop and was arrested shortly afterward.

Who was Iryna Zarutska?

Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, was fatally stabbed on a Charlotte train after fleeing war in Ukraine to seek safety in the United States.

Iryna was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, and like millions of others, her life was upended by Russia’s invasion. In 2022, she and her family made the difficult choice to leave everything behind and start over in the United States.

Back home, Iryna had already shown her creative side. She graduated from a Kyiv college with a degree in art, and when she arrived in America, she was working hard on her English. Her dream was to build a career as a veterinary assistant.

Settling in Charlotte, North Carolina, she was looking for that fresh start so many refugees hope for. But instead of the new beginning she longed for, her life was cut short in the most brutal way possible.

Who is Decarlos Brown Jr.?

The man accused of killing Iryna Zarutska is Decarlos Brown Jr., a 34-year-old homeless man whose criminal record goes back more than a decade. His rap sheet is long and troubling and includes the likes of robbery with a dangerous weapon, breaking and entering, felony larceny, and even multiple misuses of the 911 system. He had already served around six years in a North Carolina prison before being released in 2020.

What struck me the most when I dug deeper into his history is how many chances the system had to intervene. In 2022, he was arrested for assaulting a woman. In early 2025, he was back in trouble again for abusing the 911 system, telling police that a “man-made material” was controlling his body. By July 2025, a court had even ordered a forensic evaluation to check if he was mentally fit to stand trial. That evaluation was still pending when he boarded the train the night Iryna died.

To me, this case feels like a tragic failure on multiple levels. A man with such a violent record and serious mental health red flags was free and unsupervised, while a young woman who had already survived the trauma of war was left vulnerable.

Surveillance footage shows Decarlos Brown Jr. seated on the Charlotte light rail moments before Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska took a seat in front of him.

Did Iryna Zarutska and Decarlos Brown Jr. Know Each Other?

One of the first questions that came to my mind when I read about this case was whether Iryna and Decarlos Brown Jr. had any prior connection. The answer is no. Authorities have made it clear that the two had never met or spoken before that night.

And that is what makes this case even more disturbing to me. Iryna was simply taking the train like anyone might do after a long day. She was not in a risky neighborhood, she was not confronting anyone, and she was not involved in an argument. She was just a young woman, minding her own business, when a man with a long history of crime and untreated mental health struggles attacked her out of nowhere.

As someone who has traveled through cities all over the world, to say that I find this unsettling is a huge understatement. You see the thing is we usually think danger comes with warning signs such as shady alleys, heated arguments, or unsafe late night settings. Iryna’s tragic story just shows how sometimes violence can appear without reason, even in the ordinary spaces we all take for granted.

A GoFundMe Page for Iryna’s Family

In the aftermath of Iryna’s tragic death, her family is not only grieving but also facing unexpected expenses. To support them through this difficult time, a GoFundMe page has been set up on their behalf.

The fundraiser explains how Iryna had come to the United States in search of safety and a new beginning, only for her life to be taken far too soon. Organized by family and friends, the page calls on anyone who can to contribute. As of the writing of this post, the fundraiser had already raised $45,078 USD out of a $50,000 goal, with more than 760 donations pouring in.

What the Incident Reveals About U.S. Visitor Safety

1. Public Transit Isn’t Always Secure

Even with security staff on board, the attack happened in one train car while security was stationed in another. Within minutes, tragedy unfolded before responders arrived. Transit systems across the U.S. are improving, but real-time gaps remain.

2. Criminal Justice Gaps Can Have Consequences

The suspect had previously been arrested 14 times for offenses ranging from robbery and assaults to misusing 911 systems. A mental health evaluation was ordered but never completed. This allowed him to remain free.

3. Urban Violence Still Exists

While violent and property crime rates in America are down overall, they vary widely by region and context. According to FBI data, violent crimes fell by nearly 50% between 1993 and 2022. Yet, some U.S. cities with high tourist traffic (like Houston, Detroit, and Washington, D.C.) still register higher crime rates than expected.

Practical Safety Tips for Travelers to the U.S.

I have lived abroad for years and I know what it feels like to land in a new country and try to figure out how to stay safe. Writing for Explore With Kojo has given me the chance to learn from my own travels and from the stories of others. These are the practical steps I recommend when visiting the U.S.:

• Stay alert on public transit. Sit where there are other people. Avoid empty train cars late at night.
• Trust your instincts. If something feels off, act quickly. Move away or get off at the next stop. Small decisions can make a big difference.
• Research safe and unsafe areas. I always check official travel advisories before heading into a new city. Knowing where trouble is more likely can help you plan smarter routes.
• Have a backup plan. Share your location with family or friends. Use apps that allow someone you trust to follow your journey in real time.
• Avoid isolation after dark. Even in well-known cities, danger can appear in quiet places. Stick to lit areas and stay visible.

These are the habits I keep when traveling through the U.S. They will not erase all risks, but they reduce the chances of being caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

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