It was meant to be an ordinary train ride in Charlotte, North Carolina. But within minutes, a young woman fleeing the war in Ukraine would lose her life in a violent attack now captured on video. On September 9, 2025, newly released surveillance footage from the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) revealed the final moments of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, who was fatally stabbed aboard a Charlotte light rail train last month, according to ABC affiliate WSOC.
The attack occurred on Friday, August 22, as the light rail approached East/West Boulevard Station. According to video footage, Zarutska — wearing a black shirt and cap — was seated in an aisle seat with headphones on. Behind her sat 27-year-old Decarlos Brown, who was wearing a red hooded jacket. According to investigators, the two had no interaction before the attack. Moments later, the footage shows Brown suddenly pulling out a knife and stabbing Zarutska multiple times in front of horrified passengers.
Fellow riders rushed to her side, desperately trying to help her. Brown, meanwhile, walked to the other end of the train and removed his hoodie. About two minutes later, the train stopped, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers were waiting to arrest him as he stepped onto the platform. Authorities said Brown faces first-degree murder charges and has been permanently banned from using CATS services. Officials later confirmed he has a history of criminal offenses and mental health issues.
The release of the video prompted swift reactions from public officials. Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles called Zarutska’s killing a “senseless and tragic loss.” She offered prayers and support to Zarutska’s loved ones, acknowledging the immense grief they are facing in the aftermath of the tragedy. She thanked both media outlets and community members for choosing not to repost or circulate the footage, saying their restraint showed respect for Zarutska’s family.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump also condemned the attack after viewing the video. He described the footage as “so horrible” and referred to Brown as a “lunatic” and a “madman.” Trump expressed support for Zarutska’s loved ones and said the case reflected the danger posed by what he called “evil people.”
For Zarutska’s family, the tragedy brought an abrupt end to a life defined by resilience and talent. Born on May 22, 2002, in Kyiv, Ukraine, she was the daughter of Anna Zarutska and Stanislav Zarutskyi. In August 2022, she arrived in Charlotte with her mother, sister, and brother, escaping the war that had torn through her homeland.
A passionate artist, Zarutska graduated from Synergy College in Kyiv with a degree in Art and Restoration. She loved painting, sculpting, and designing clothing that reflected her vibrant spirit, often sharing her creations with friends and family. Her compassion extended beyond art. She cared deeply for animals, and neighbors recalled her radiant smile as she walked their pets through the community.
Zarutska dreamed of becoming a veterinary assistant and worked tirelessly toward independence, even learning to drive. She quickly became fluent in English, a sign of both her determination and her love of learning. Though adventurous, she was happiest at home, surrounded by those she loved. Her mother fondly remembered her ability to sleep for long stretches, something she called an “artist’s gift.”
Besides her parents, she is survived by her sister, Valeriia; her brother, Bohdan; her partner, Stas Nikulytsia; her aunt, Valeria Haskell (Frank Scott); her cousins, Vera Falkner and Viktor Falkner; and many other relatives and friends. Zarutska’s story is heartbreaking. She had so much ahead of her, yet her Instagram tells its own story: images of a radiant young woman, happy and full of life, in the months before her tragic death.
