From light rail to courts, Iryna Zarutska’s killing is prompting change

CHARLOTTE — The city of Charlotte is now under multiple federal investigations following the deadly light rail stabbing. The FBI and the United States Department of Transportation announced investigations into Charlotte late Monday night.

The FBI says its investigation was launched right after the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska. USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy said, “If mayors can’t keep their trains and buses safe, they don’t deserve taxpayers’ money.”

The comments come as Charlotte attempts to pass a sales tax increase for transit that will rely on federal funds.

In January, Magistrate Teresa Stokes allowed Decarlos Brown to be released from jail with nothing but a written promise to appear in court.

In remarks in Washington, DC, Monday morning, President Donald Trump railed against cashless bail while offering condolences to Iryna Zarutska’s family.

“I just give my love and hope to the family of the woman who was viciously stabbed,” he said.

Mayor Vi Lyles is now joining in the criticism, saying in a statement that it was “a tragic failure by the courts and magistrates. Our police officers arrest people only to have them quickly released, which undermines our ability to protect our community and ensure safety.”

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House Speaker Destin Hall is considering legislation cracking down on pretrial release and providing more accountability for magistrates who release offenders without a thorough review of their criminal history.

“The people of Charlotte deserve better than soft-on-crime policies that left Ms. Zarutska vulnerable to a violent repeat offender,” Demi Dowdy, spokesperson for Speaker Hall, said.

As Channel 9 previously reported, Decarlos Brown was arrested in January on a misusing 911 charge after making a call and claiming someone gave him “man-made material that controls when he eats, walks, and talks.” This is the arrest; he was released with the promise to appear. This wasn’t his first run-in with the law. He served more than 5 years for an armed robbery. Channel 9 broke the news that CMPD encountered him at least three times in 2024.

Late Monday afternoon, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department fulfilled Channel 9’s records request for reports tied to these encounters.

The newly obtained records reveal CMPD’s Community Policing Crisis Response Team dealt with Brown in March, April, and October of last year.

All were welfare calls. While partially redacted, the March call appears to reference a claim of him believing something was done to his body. The October call log includes a reference to claims of his body being exposed to chemicals.

CMPD says if individuals are considered a danger to themselves or others, CMPD can request an Involuntary Commitment Order from the magistrate. That does not appear to have happened in this case. A spokesperson declined to say why.

Without the IVC, CMPD says, “Accessing mental health resources is ultimately a personal responsibility.”

While changes from the state level may take more time, Mayor Vi Lyles says the city is now taking action. CATS security personnel will be redeployed to the Blue Line to increase fare enforcement.

Brown didn’t have a ticket. CATS security is rolling out bike units and urban terrain vehicles. CMPD is increasing patrols across the transit system.

Charlotte City Councilman Malcolm Graham says he understands this moment requires leadership. The CATS security team is down 30 personnel right now. He wants CMPD to fill the gaps.

“People are feeling pain in our city, and I think we owe them a response,” he said.

Most importantly, he hopes Iryna Zarutska’s family knows they are supported. He says the city needs to double down on public safety, being the top priority.

“Whether it’s someone losing their life on the train, whether it’s a shooting on Beatties Ford Road, or whether it’s a victim who is getting gunshots in their home at night,” he said.

CMPD says they will not make an arrest during a mental health crisis unless a crime has occurred. CMPD declined to say what services were offered to Brown during their encounters.

Speaking generally, a statement provided by CMPD says, “Services can range from basic needs such as food services and shelter or housing to connecting individuals with attainable mental health services to providing transportation to behavioral health urgent care.”

VIDEO: Deadly Charlotte light rail stabbing draws national attention; leaders call for change