A LOOK OF HORROR New Footage Released: Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Looks Up In Horror Moments Before Fatal St*bbing On Charlotte Train
Iryna Zarutska was just another passenger when she boarded the late-night Blue Line train after it pulled into Scaleybark station, just a few miles outside of downtown Charlotte. She wore khaki pants and a dark shirt. Her long blonde hair had been tucked under a hat from Zepeddie’s Pizzeria where she worked.
Like nearby passengers, the 23-year-old bowed her head as the train continued on, absorbed by the phone in her hand. Zarutska, a refugee from Ukraine, had picked an empty row, and sat in front of a man in a red sweatshirt, unaware of the two’s imminent collision course.
Just four minutes later, Decarlos Brown, the passenger behind her, dug into the fold of his clothes and took out what appeared to be a knife. For a moment, he looked back out the window, as if that was all he was going to do. But in a quick movement, he launched up and swung his arm over the seat and fatally stabbed Zarutska, who clutched her face and throat before slouching to the ground.
Zarutska died on the train from her injuries as passengers kneeled over her trying to help. Brown has been charged with first-degree murder in her killing.
VIDEO:
Hey, just a heads-up about a really disturbing story that’s been in the news. A newly released video shows the final moments of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, who was tragically st*bbed on a public train. The footage is heartbreaking—she looks up in shock and horror after the attack.
The suspect, Decarlos Brown, has been arrested and charged with murder. Prosecutors revealed he has a long and violent criminal history. The case has sparked a national debate about public safety and the justice system.
Donald Trump weighed in emotionally, holding up photos of Iryna and the suspect, saying, “We have to be vicious, just like they are. It’s the only thing they understand.”
It’s a really sad and intense situation that’s getting a lot of attention right now.
On the evening of August 22, 2025, 23‑year‑old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee living in Charlotte, boarded the Lynx Blue Line light‑rail train after finishing her shift at a pizzeria. The train departed East/West Boulevard station, and she took a seat in front of a man later identified as Decarlos Brown Jr.
This tragic moment—the look of pure fear frozen on camera—is a stark reminder of the fragility of safety in public spaces. It underscores the urgent need for systemic action—from criminal justice reform to better mental health support and enhanced transit security.
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