In a harrowing incident on Charlotte’s light rail, a man narrowly escaped with his life after being attacked by what authorities describe as a criminal illegal immigrant. The victim, Kenyon Dobie, is now recovering with a medical tube inserted in his chest, as it works to drain blood from his lungs. Reflecting on the ordeal, Dobie expressed his gratitude for surviving the violent encounter.
The incident unfolded in broad daylight last Friday while Dobie was aboard the Blue Line. According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), Dobie was critically injured after being stabbed, prompting immediate medical intervention and transportation to a hospital.
Authorities have identified the suspect as Oscar Solarzano, a 33-year-old Honduran national with a troubling history. Allegations against Solarzano suggest he forcibly entered the railcar brandishing a large fixed-blade knife. Witnesses reported he was intoxicated, verbally abusive, and challenged Dobie to a fight.
In a heartfelt message shared on GoFundMe, Dobie recounted his traumatic experience, acknowledging the severity of his injuries and seeking support for his recovery. “I am the second victim of the BLUE LINE stabbing,” he stated, emphasizing the physical toll the attack has taken. “Please pray and help me with a better recovery.”
Further investigations have shed light on Solarzano’s past. Deported twice, first under the Trump administration in 2018 and again in 2021 after re-entering illegally, Solarzano has a criminal record in the United States. Sources from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported his previous robbery conviction and multiple arrests for violent offenses.
After the stabbing, it was revealed Solarzano, who was deported by the Trump administration in 2018 and returned illegally in 2021 under the Biden administration before being deported a second time, was previously convicted of robbery in the U.S. and had a number of prior arrests for violent crimes, according to multiple Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sources.
Solarzano is charged with attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with serious injury, breaking/entering a motor vehicle, carrying a concealed weapon and intoxicated/disruptive behavior in connection to the recent attack, according to warrants.
Bond was not set due to Solarzano’s immigration status, and he will be released into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, according to a release order filed in Mecklenburg County.
Oscar Solarzano, 33, was arrested in connection to a stabbing on a Charlotte light rail Friday. (Mecklenburg County Jail)
The stabbing attack comes months after Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, 23, was fatally stabbed on the Blue Line while going home from work.
Zarutska’s accused killer, Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, is charged with violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death, a capital offense under federal law.
President Donald Trump reacted to the most recent stabbing on Truth Social Saturday, saying, “Another stabbing by an Illegal Migrant in Charlotte, North Carolina. What’s going on in Charlotte? Democrats are destroying it, like everything else, piece by piece!!!”
Kenyon Dobie shared photos of himself recovering in the hospital after being on the Charlotte Blue Line light rail. (GoFundMe)
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also chimed in, calling out Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles in an X post.
“Apparently, the death of Iryna Zarutska wasn’t enough. What is it going to take for @CLTMayor to remove violent criminals off the streets and protect her constituents?” Duffy wrote. “The time to act is NOW.”
The GoFundMe, verified to Fox News Digital by CMPD, has garnered nearly $18,000, according to the site.
Dobie, DHS and ICE did not immediately respond to additional inquiries from Fox News Digital.
