The way a North Carolina city managed Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska’s tragic murder has come under scrutiny following revelations about their meeting proceedings.

During a September 2 meeting, the Charlotte City Council focused on the brutal stabbing of the 23-year-old refugee by a habitual offender on public transportation on August 22.

The release of a shocking video of the murder caused widespread fury after the suspect, Decarlos Brown Jr., was captured. Now, the city faces criticism for the “insensitive” decision to serve birthday cake during the session.

The mayor, city council, and Charlotte Area Transit (CATS) officials were present, yet they paused for a five-minute break to enjoy cake for Councilmember Dimple Ajmera’s birthday before addressing Zarutska’s murder.

In meeting footage, council members cheerfully interacted, took photos, and ate cake, even as the weight of Zarutska’s murder loomed over the gathering.

Local journalist Joe Bruno, posted live updates of the meeting on his X account.  

Bruno shared photos of the cake with a knife cutting through it, not dissimilar to the blade used to stab Zarutska.

He wrote: ‘They are indeed taking a break for cake. The CATS safety briefing will have to wait a little longer.’

A local journalist noted shortly after, stating, “Cake time is over. Charlotte City Council is now starting its discussion of the fatal stabbing.”

The cake break has triggered furious outrage – at a time when locals are slamming liberal media outlets for not covering the massacre that happened on their doorstep.

The account DidUMissThisNews posted: ‘If you want to see how non serious the charlotte city council is about the murder of Iryna Zarutska. 

‘They took a break talking about it to eat cake for an hour for a birthday.’ 

Another user mocked the entire situation: ‘Local leaders decided this was the time to consume some carbs and sugar for Councilmember Dimple Ajmera. Once their tummies were full with cake, the local leaders discussed the tragedy.’

Others called for the local leaders’ resignations: ‘These people all need to be ousted.’ 

A fourth person said: ‘Charlotte is going to be in big political trouble for all of this. Such distances,’ as another added: ‘Imagine telling grieving family and friends, “We’ll get to your loved one’s murder right after dessert.” 

‘That’s Charlotte’s leadership in one snapshot.’

‘Disgusting. This shows their priorities,’ one sickened user wrote online, and another said: ‘Moments like this show how tone-deaf leadership can look in times of crisis.’ 

In the face of backlash, a representative for the Charlotte City Council, Dr. Victoria Watlington, defended the council’s carb-filled actions.

She told the Daily Mail: ‘We spent several hours discussing the security measures that have been taken to enhance transit and community safety not only in response to this horrific tragedy, but also over the past year. 

‘We will continue to improve policy through upcoming Council committee referrals, as well as with our intergovernmental partners. Safety has been a key focus area of the Council, and will continue to be.’

Zarutska was riding the South End Light rail train in Charlotte, NC on August 22, when she was senselessly stabbed from behind. 

The Ukrainian refugee came to the United States to flee Russia’s ongoing attack on her home country. 

Suspect Decarlos Brown Jr., was seen in video lunged at her from behind, stabbed her, and walked away with a blood-covered knife. 

As the twisted video circulated on social media, her death was notably neglected by liberal media.

Once the council finally reconvened on September 2 after their cake break, interim chief executive officer of CATS Brent Cagle stepped forward to discuss upcoming changes to the city’s transit safety systems. 

However, when asked if new fare evasion prevention tactics or security measures would have prevented Zarutska’s death, Cagle said: ‘The individual, Mr. Brown, did not present any indications that he was suffering from a mental health break at the time. 

‘Again, from what I’ve heard, we do not believe so.’

Her attacker did not have a ticket. He entered the transit system via bus and did not present a pass. But since he didn’t show any signs of violence or mental distress, Cagle said nothing could be done. 

He explained: ‘With an open system it will always be impossible to check every passenger everyday.’

It remains to be seen if any CATS security measures could prevent another unsuspecting murderer from slipping through the cracks.

Brown was wandering Charlotte with a lengthy rap sheet. 

According to a Daily Mail review of police records, he has already served five years in prison for armed robbery and has been arrested at least six times over the last seven years.

He was released without bail and a trial pending when he allegedly stabbed Zaruska to death. 

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles released a statement on September 6 addressing the stabbing for the second time more than two weeks later. 

She wrote on X: ‘The video of the heartbreaking attack that took Iryna Zarutska’s life is now public.

‘I want to thank our media partners and community members who have chosen not to repost or share the footage out of respect for Iryna’s family.

‘This was a senseless and tragic loss. 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.

‘I remain committed to doing all we can to protect our residents and ensure Charlotte is a place where everyone feels safe.’

It is not yet clear what new safety procedures the mayor will set in place to avoid future attacks. 

Zarutska’s family posted a GoFundMe page calling her death ‘an irreplaceable loss.’

Daily Mail reached out to the Mayor’s Office and CATS for further comment on the city’s response to Zarutska’s murder. Bruno declined an interview request to discuss his local coverage with Daily Mail.