JD Vance discusses light rail stabbing while visiting Concord

Vice President JD Vance visited Concord Wednesday to talk about safety and the deadly light rail stabbing that happened on Aug. 22.

Vance called on Gov. Josh Stein to pass a major crime bill to prevent future tragedies.

Channel 9’s government reporter Joe Bruno was there for the speech when Vance talked about the surveillance video that Charlotte Area Transit System officials released. It showed Decarlos Brown allegedly stab Iryna Zarutska to death on one of Charlotte’s light rail trains.

Vance said it was incredibly hard to watch, but he did view the footage of Zarutska’s final moments. He said the stabbing should be motivation for lawmakers to take action and he called on Stein to sign the bill into law that is named in her honor.

“If you are a man and you see the pleading eyes of a girl looking up for protection, then we have to protect our girls and our women in this country,” Vance said at Concord-Padgett Regional Airport.

That’s why Vance praised the North Carolina legislature for passing Iryna’s Law.

It bans magistrates from allowing suspects out of jail on just a written promise to attend their next court date, which is a type of cashless pretrial release that allows people to get out of jail if they promise to appear in court.

That’s how the Brown was released in January on a misdemeanor charge.

House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, said that should have never happened given the suspect’s extensive criminal history.

“We don’t have to be New York or California where they let crime run rampant,” Hall said.

The bill passed with significant bipartisan support and is now in the hands of the governor.

A spokesperson for the governor said, “The governor will always do everything in his power to keep people safe.”

After watching the light rail video, Vance said it is imperative that Stein signs it.

“What happened to her was really disgusting and I think it comes from a deep and dark and evil place that exist that thankfully comes from a few number of people, but those people we have to lock up in prison so they don’t get anyone else,” the vice president said.

In response to a question from a reporter, Vance said the White House does not have plans to send the National Guard into Charlotte right now but said that is something the administration would do if Mayor Vi Lyles or Stein requests it.

Statement from Lyles:

“No, we do not intend to request the National Guard. Charlotte has strong leaders across all sectors who are dedicated to ensuring our community remains safe.

“We understand the events of the past few weeks have drawn increased awareness to safety challenges we all face. We will continue to focus on what we need to do to ensure a safe and thriving Charlotte, including working with federal, state and local partners on community safety.”

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