Decarlos Brown, 34, could face either life in prison or the death penalty.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Decarlos Brown, the individual charged with stabbing and killing a Ukrainian refugee on a LYNX Blue Line train in August 2025, is now facing a federal charge related to the incident.
On Tuesday, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that federal prosecutors have formally charged the 34-year-old Brown with one count of committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system. Brown is accused of killing 24-year-old Iryna Zarutska on the train.
“Iryna Zarutska was a young woman pursuing the American dream — her tragic murder is a direct consequence of lenient policies that prioritize criminals over innocent citizens,” said Bondi in a statement. “I have instructed my attorneys to prosecute DeCarlos Brown Jr., a repeat violent offender with a violent criminal history, federally for murder. We intend to seek the harshest penalty for this dreadful act of violence — he will never experience freedom again.”
FBI Director Kash Patel also offered his own comment, confirming that his agency had launched an investigation.
“The vicious attack on Iryna Zarutska on the Charlotte Light Rail was a shameful act that should never occur in America,” Patel’s statement read. “The FBI quickly joined the investigation to guarantee justice is served and the perpetrator is permanently incarcerated. I want to thank Attorney General Bondi for her commitment to today’s federal charges, which are the initial step toward achieving justice for Iryna and her family – and for the millions of Americans who have the right to live in our great cities without fear of violent criminals.”
If convicted, Brown could face one of two maximum penalties: life in prison or death.
“This brutal assault on an innocent woman merely trying to reach her destination is an attack on the American way of life,” stated U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “Undoubtedly, crimes like this primarily affect the victim—Iryna deserves justice, and we will ensure justice is served to her and her family. However, such crimes also impact everyone who depends on mass transportation for their daily commute, and federal charges are essential to protect the public and maintain confidence in our transportation systems.”
Zarutska’s death has prompted varied responses — from condolences to criticism — from local, state, and national political figures. House Speaker Mike Johnson, White House Press Secretary Karolina Leavitt, and President Donald Trump have all expressed their views on the case.
Ferguson spoke during the news briefing. He said that even he felt unsafe in Charlotte’s center city area with his daughter. FBI Special Agent in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr., who spoke during the briefing, said that the Ukrainian Embassy called, letting them know they would pay to bring her body home. However, her family said “No, she loved America.”
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