A 23-year-old woman was tragically stabbed to death on a Charlotte train over two weeks prior. Now, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) has made the surveillance footage from the incident publicly available.
On Friday, Aug. 22, Iryna Zarutska boarded the CATS Blue Line, taking an aisle seat in front of Decarlos Brown. Video evidence, reported by ABC affiliate WSOC, shows Zarutska wearing headphones and not interacting with Brown.
The train was en route to the East/West Boulevard Station, and there were many passengers on board.
During the journey, Brown suddenly and without provocation, drew a knife and fatally stabbed Zarutska. Following the attack, the footage depicts Brown moving to the opposite end of the train and removing his hoodie. Several passengers hurried to aid Zarutska.
Declaros Brown is facing murder charges after stabbing a woman to death on a Charlotte transit train on Aug. 22, 2025.
The train halted approximately two minutes thereafter, and upon stepping onto the platform, Brown was swiftly detained by Charlotte police. He is now facing first-degree murder charges, and CATS has issued him a lifetime ban.
Brown has a history of criminal activity and mental health issues, WSOC reported.
The 23-year-old victim was living in Charlotte after fleeing the war in Ukraine with her mother, sister and brother.
Friends and acquaintances of Zarutska recall her as a talented and passionate artist, renowned for her skill in sculpting and clothing design that embodied her lively spirit. She was also known for her love of animals, often tending to neighbors’ pets.
Iryna Zarutska, who was a Ukrainian refugee, was fatally stabbed by a man while riding a Charlotte train.
An obituary for Zarutska reads: “She was often seen walking pets in the neighborhood, her radiant smile always present. Iryna harbored dreams of becoming a Veterinary Assistant.”
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles released a statement on the incident: “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.”
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