Man Faces Death Penalty for Fatal Stabbing of Ukrainian Refugee on Charlotte Train

Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., a 34-year-old man with a criminal history, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death for fatally stabbing 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light rail train. The attack, captured on graphic surveillance footage, showed Brown stabbing Zarutska multiple times from behind as she sat on the train, leading to her death at the scene. Brown, who has a prior conviction for robbery with a dangerous weapon, faces the death penalty if convicted, sparking calls from the victim's family and Attorney General Pam Bondi for maximum punishment and swift justice. President Trump publicly condemned the attack, describing Brown as "the animal" who violently killed Zarutska and advocating for a quick trial and death penalty. The case has drawn significant attention due to the brutal nature of the crime, the victim's status as a refugee fleeing the war in Ukraine, and Brown's mental health history, including schizophrenia as cited by his family. Authorities arrested Brown shortly after the attack, and the indictment marks a critical step toward potential capital punishment for the defendant.