Tragic Stabbings in Charlotte: A Call for Accountability in Homelessness and Public Safety

By Partha Chakraborty
Tuesday, 23 September 2025 01:33 PM EDT

A harrowing incident in Charlotte, North Carolina, has left the community reeling after Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, was fatally stabbed on her way home from work on the light rail. The attack, captured on video and replayed widely, has sparked outrage and raised urgent questions about public safety and systemic failures.

Zarutska, who fled Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, had recently settled in the U.S. and quickly integrated into local life. According to FBI special agent James Barnacle, she secured a job within days of arriving, working at a senior citizen center and a pizza restaurant while learning English. Colleagues described her as hardworking and well-liked.

The perpetrator, Decarlos Brown, 34, has a decades-long criminal record. His history includes felony larceny in 2013, a 2016 armed robbery that led to a five-year prison sentence, and multiple arrests for assault and misuse of emergency services. Despite repeated legal issues, he was released on a “Written Promise to Appear” just days before the stabbing. A court had ordered his mental evaluation in July 2025, but it remains unclear whether this was enforced.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles initially called for compassion in addressing homelessness and mental health, later pivoting to demand bipartisan solutions for repeat offenders and those unable to access care. Critics argue that systemic neglect has allowed individuals like Brown to remain in public spaces unchecked.

The incident has reignited debates over the treatment of homeless populations and the enforcement of public safety laws. Advocates contend that without decisive action, such tragedies will persist. The case underscores a broader crisis: the intersection of unaddressed mental health challenges, criminal justice failures, and the vulnerability of those who rely on public transit.

As investigations continue, the community grapples with the profound loss of Zarutska, whose life was cut short by a confluence of societal shortcomings.