On 22/8, 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska was stabbed three times in the neck while riding a subway train in Charlotte, North Carolina. The suspect, DeCarlos Brown Jr., was a stranger who happened to be sitting in front of her.

Brown's unprovoked attack ended Zarutska's life and shattered the young woman's dreams of a peaceful future. She had fled Ukraine with her mother, brother, and sister in August 2022 as the war escalated. A GoFundMe page created by her family at the time described their decision to come to America as a search for "safety away from the bombs." Zarutska's father remained in Ukraine due to martial law preventing men of military age from leaving.

Before arriving in the US, Zarutska had graduated from Synergy University in Kyiv with a degree in art and restoration. In the two years since seeking refuge in Charlotte, she quickly integrated into American life, becoming fluent in English and securing a job at Zepeddie's Pizzeria.

Those who knew her described her as a creative and passionate individual with interests in fashion and sculpture, who dreamed of becoming a veterinary assistant. "She loved animals, often cared for neighbors' pets, and was remembered for her radiant smile," her family wrote in her obituary.

Iryna Zarutska. Photo: Jamesfuneralhomelkn

Iryna Zarutska. Photo: Jamesfuneralhomelkn

Zarutska lived in a quiet neighborhood where she was known for walking her dog in her free time. One neighbor told the NY Post that she was kind and well-liked throughout the community.

Friends and family remembered Zarutska as a passionate young artist. They shared photos from her Instagram account showing her smiling and dancing in Kyiv's Vidradnyi district before the war, wearing t-shirts of rock bands like Nirvana.

"She loved adventure, travel, and exploration, but was also family-oriented, happiest when surrounded by loved ones," her family shared. "Her mother most fondly remembers her habit of sleeping in, which she jokingly called her 'artistic style'."

Colleagues at Zepeddie's Pizzeria held a candlelight vigil in her memory. The restaurant's manager posted a tribute on Instagram: "She was taken from us far too soon. This candle represents the warmth and light she brought every day."

On 13/8, 9 days before her death, Zarutska posted a photo on Facebook of the Charlotte skyline from a subway train window, a peaceful moment that no one realized would be her last.

On the night of 22/8, Zarutska, dressed in her pizzeria uniform, was returning home on the subway. Surveillance footage shows Brown, wearing a red hoodie, sitting behind her. Moments later, he pulled a pocketknife, stood up, and stabbed her in the neck.

Zarutska collapsed and died at the scene, likely unaware of her attacker's identity. After the attack, Brown walked towards the train doors, the bloody knife in his hand, while other passengers seemed oblivious to the tragedy that had just unfolded.

DeCarlos Brown Jr. (behind) stabbing Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte subway train on 22/8. Photo: CTAS

DeCarlos Brown Jr. (behind) stabbing Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte subway train on 22/8. Photo: CTAS

Zarutska's murder sparked debate about public safety and justice in Charlotte. Many criticized city officials, particularly Mayor Vi Lyles, after she called for "compassion" for the suspect, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

"It's insane. The mayor's first statement was all about the killer," one of Zarutska's neighbors said angrily.

Brown, 34, has a criminal record, including a 5-year prison sentence for armed robbery in 2014, along with charges of breaking and entering and other violent offenses. After his release in 2020, he was arrested multiple times for making threats, assaulting his sister, and misusing 911. In 1/2025, he was released without bail on the promise to appear in court.

The case not only shook the Charlotte community but also escalated into a national political issue, attracting the attention of the federal government. Former President Donald Trump called the suspect a "maniac" and demanded that American authorities take strong action against such criminals, "or we will lose our country."

US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced on 8/9 that his department would investigate the city of Charlotte "for failing to protect Iryna Zarutska" after accepting tax dollars without ensuring safety on public transport. He also announced a nationwide review of "high-crime cities."

Thanh Danh (Fox, NY Post)