Man accused of killing Ukrainian refugee on light rail charged with federal crime

CHARLOTTE — Decarlos Brown, the man accused of killing a Ukrainian refugee on light rail, was federally charged on Tuesday with one count of terrorist attacks or other violence against a mass transit system.

The stabbing death of 23-year-old Ukrainian immigrant Iryna Zarutska happened on Aug. 22 on the Blue Line light rail in South End. She had escaped her war-torn country and was working at a pizzaria in Charlotte.

The federal charge could bring the death penalty or life in prison.

“The act, itself, does not scream federal crime but when we started to see the effects of that act, we saw the public saying, ‘We aren’t riding the light rail anymore. We are afraid to go to the park,’” said Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney Western District North Carolina, in a Tuesday afternoon news conference. “That’s when my mind and my office started saying, ‘Huh, there may be something more than a single murder here. This might be a federal charge.’”

#Breaking: Decarlos Brown has been federally charged Terrorist Attacks or Other Violence Against Mass Transit System by @USAO_WDNC. The charge just dropped, per court records. @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/MN5hRN2Q6k
— Hunter Sáenz (@Hunt_Saenz) September 9, 2025

Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) officials released video Friday that shows Zarutska entering the light-rail train and sitting in front of Brown, who was seated behind her.

Minutes later, without any provocation, he pulled out a pocketknife, stands and stabbed her in the neck, police said. Passengers scattered as she collapsed.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department arrested Brown at the East/West Boulevard Station right after the fatal stabbing and charged him with first-degree murder.

Brown was arrested earlier this year after repeatedly calling 911 from a hospital, saying people were trying to control him. A judge later released him without bail.

Brown’s mother told Channel 9 she tried to get an involuntary psychiatric commitment this year after he became violent at home. Doctors diagnosed Brown with schizophrenia.

“Director (Kash) Patel has changed the priorities of the FBI to address the violent crime,” said James Barnacle Jr., FBI North Carolina, special agent in charge, at the news conference. “The scorch to our cities and our country by cartels, by transnational and by local street gangs. We have put resources to those matters.”

State auditor’s office launches investigation

State auditor’s office launches investigation into CATS in wake of deadly stabbing

North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek launched an investigation Tuesday into CATS.

The investigation into the CATS will include private security contracts, data it and private security has used for public safety and CATS’ safety and security budget, the State Auditor’s Office stated Tuesday in a news release.

Breaking: State Auditor Dave Boliek has launched an investigation into CATS @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/O93gRYxYgv
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) September 9, 2025

USDOT

U.S. Transportation Sec. Sean Duffy told Fox News on Monday night that his department is launching an investigation into how CATS failed to protect Zarutska.

“If mayors can’t keep their trains and buses safe, they don’t deserve the taxpayers’ money,” Duffy said in a statement. “@USDOT will be investigating Charlotte over its failure to protect Iryna Zarutska. And we will also be looking at other crime-ridden cities across the country.”

The USDOT could withhold federal funding from the city of Charlotte.

CATS sent out a statement that read, “CATS welcomes any conversation with our partners at USDOT. They work closely with transit agencies across the nation and are a valuable partner with CATS.”

North Carolina got at least $1.7 billion from the U.S. DOT in the last fiscal year, including $33 million in the Charlotte area.

FBI Investigation

The FBI is investigating, as well.

Director Kash Patel posted on X that his department has been looking into the case since Day 1.

The FBI director thanked the attorney general for brining federal charges against Brown.

Call for removal of judge

NC Congressman Tim Moore calls for removal of judge after light rail stabbing

Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Moore, NC-14, is calling for the removal of the magistrate who released Brown from jail earlier this year.

Police said Brown called them while at Novant Health saying that someone gave him man-made material that controlled when he ate, walked and talked.

He was arrested and brought to the Magistrate’s Office at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center. Magistrates are the first judicial officer suspects see after they are brought in by police.

Magistrate Teresa Stokes saw Brown and let him go on a written promise to appear, which is standard for the misdemeanor charge he was facing at the time. There was no cash bond.

Congressman Tim Moore has sent a letter to the court asking for the removal of Magistrate Teresa Stokes, in the aftermath of the murder of Iryna Zarutska. https://t.co/Kf5zPlvLbL
— Hunter Sáenz (@Hunt_Saenz) September 9, 2025

Moore’s letter goes on to say, “Her decision has undermined public confidence in the judicial system and exposed the community to wholly preventable harm.”

A bond is set not as a punishment but to ensure a suspect goes to court.

In previous cases, Brown failed to appear in court.

It’s unclear if Stokes had that information when she determined his bond in January.

Magistrates typically have little information about the person arrested in front of them.

They rely heavily on what the arresting officer tells them.

They should have access to the suspect’s criminal record but it’s not likely they would have access to mental health history, unless the arresting officer tells them that.

Moore said Tuesday on Capitol Hill he wants to fix this and hold magistrates and judges more accountable.

“As a rep of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, I’m not going to stay silent while innocent people pay the price … soft-on-crime judges,” Moore said.

Iryna Zarutska

Zarutska’s family has asked for privacy.

Her obituary said she was an artist who loved sculpting and designing unique, eclectic clothing that reflected her vibrant spirit.

It also said she had a deep love for animals and often cared for her neighbors’ pets.

“Though she enjoyed adventures, sightseeing, and exploring new places with her close friends, Iryna was also a homebody at heart, happiest when surrounded by family and loved ones,” her obituary read. “Her mother lovingly recalls her ability to sleep for wonderfully long stretches—something she affectionately called an “artist’s gift.”

She fled Ukraine with her mother, sister and brother.

Former governor weighs in

Former Republican governor and Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory also weighed in.

He was the mayor who brought light rail to Charlotte.

He called the attack disturbing and said he believes there needs to be better fare enforcement, and that police should handle security on trains instead of a private company.

“We’ve got to express action to ensure we reestablish the confidence that all of the customers must have in our light rail and transit line,” McCrory said.

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