WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department on Tuesday charged a man who left a long arrest record for fatal stab wounds of a Ukrainian refugee on a North Carolina commuter train last month.
Federal accusations come inside Continuously increasing questions On why DeCarlos Brown Jr. was on the street despite 14 previous detective arrests before he was accused of killing 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska by pulling out a knife in an apparently random attack filmed in the video.
The booking photo provided by the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 shows DeCarlos Brown Jr., charged with fatal stab wounds of a Ukrainian refugee. (via the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office)
This incident has become the latest flash point in debate. Cities like Charlotte We are committed to violent crime, mental illness and transportation safety. The Trump administration says the incident shows how local leaders, judges and policies in democratic-led cities failed to protect residents from violent crimes.
“Iryna Zarutska was a young woman living American dreams. Her horrifying murder is a direct result of the failed Softon criminal policy that puts criminals in front of innocent people,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. “We ask for the greatest penalty for this unforgivable act of violence. He will never see the light of day again as a free man.”
Zarutska had come to the US to escape War in Ukrainerelatives wrote in a GofundMe post, explaining her that they are determined to build a safer life.
In the video released on Friday, Salzka enters the light rail train on August 22nd, sitting in front of Brown, who was sitting behind her. A few minutes later, without any obvious interaction, he pulls out a pocket knife and stands up and cuts her to the neck, investigators said. Passengers scream and scatter in surprise.
Charlotte Area Transit System Light Rail in Charlotte, North Carolina will enter and exit Monday, September 8, 2025
North Carolina prosecutors charged Brown with first-degree murder. He is currently facing federal accusations of causing death in prisons or mass transit systems that fall under death penalty.
Death penalty It is also a potential punishment for those convicted of first-degree murder in North Carolina. However, the state has not performed its first run since 2006. Legal Issues Regarding Use of Lethal injection drug And the presence of doctors in executions is partially slowing down their actions.
Court records show Brown circulated the criminal justice system for more than a decade, including five years of service for robbery with dangerous weapons in Mecklenburg County. He was arrested earlier this year after repeatedly calling 911 from the hospital, claiming that people were trying to control him. The judge released him without bail.
His mother told local television that he sought an unwilling psychiatric commitment this year after he became violent at home. The doctor diagnosed him with schizophrenia.
Court records show that the judge ordered a psychological examination in July at the request of his public defense attorney’s request to determine whether he could contribute to his defense. It was not clear whether the exam was scheduled or why it didn’t happen before the attack in late August.
The Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office did not answer the phone Tuesday.
The Trump administration has repeatedly accused Democrats of what they say is out of control and violence in the Blue City. The White House highlighted the incident at a press conference Tuesday, but Trump repeatedly spoke about the murder, saying in one social media post he “needs to lock up criminals like this.”
“Americans need to feel safe in the city they live in,” Assistant Attorney General Todd Blanche told Fox News. “And this is a prominent example of how liberal policies on the left are failing.”
Charlotte is increasing security along the transport line in response to the fatal stab wound, Mayor Villiles said in a letter to city residents. The mayor’s letter is also critical of the court system, reflecting some critics of the city’s response.
Lyles called the murder “a tragic failure by the court and magistrate” and said city officials would arrest people just to be released soon.
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Philadelphia Associated Press Reporter Claudia Lauer contributed.
