"We are heartbroken beyond words. Iryna Zarutska came here in search of peace and safety, but instead, her life was tragically taken. No family should have to endure this," a representative for the Zarutska family said on 9/9.

The Zarutska family is urging prosecutors to imprison 34-year-old DeCarlos Brown Jr., the man who attacked Zarutska. They are also demanding that authorities address systemic failures in the city's public safety.

The family has also requested that the public and media respect the deceased by not republishing the video of the attack.

The moment Zarutska (blond hair) was attacked on the light rail in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo: Charlotte CATS

The moment Zarutska (blond hair) was attacked on the light rail in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo: Charlotte CATS

Zarutska, 23, a Ukrainian refugee, was fatally stabbed on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, on 22/8. Brown Jr., a homeless man, was released on his own recognizance by a judge despite having 14 prior convictions and a history of mental illness.

Since 2007, Brown Jr. has been arrested at least 14 times in North Carolina for various offenses, ranging from assault and weapons possession to larceny and armed robbery. Brown Jr.'s mother told local media that her son has schizophrenia and should not have been on the streets.

The killing has exposed serious security flaws in Charlotte's public transit system. Brown Jr. allegedly evaded fares on both buses and trains.

Local police stopped patrolling the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) in December of last year when CATS hired a private security firm. The contract calls for 218 security personnel across the system, but 15% of the positions remain unfilled.

Ngoc Anh (NY Post, ABC, AP)