Charlotte Man Charged With Federal Crime In Fatal Attack of Iryna Zarutska on City’s Light Rail System

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - A federal criminal complaint was filed in U.S. District Court in Charlotte today, charging a Charlotte man with a federal crime in connection with the fatal attack of Iryna Zarutska on the city's light rail system, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Decarlos Dejuan Brown, Jr., 34, is charged with one count of committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system.

James C. Barnacle, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, joins U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today's announcement.

"Iryna Zarutska was a young woman living the American dream - her horrific murder is a direct result of failed soft-on-crime policies that put criminals before innocent people," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. "I have directed my attorneys to federally prosecute DeCarlos Brown Jr., a repeat violent offender with a history of violent crime, for murder. We will seek the maximum penalty for this unforgivable act of violence - he will never again see the light of day as a free man."

"The brutal attack on Iryna Zarutska on the Charlotte Light Rail was a disgraceful act that should never happen in America," said FBI Director Kash Patel. "The FBI jumped to assist in this investigation immediately to ensure justice is served and the perpetrator is never released from jail to kill again. I want to thank Attorney General Bondi for her pursuit of today's federal charges, which are the first step toward delivering justice for Iryna and her family - as well as the millions of Americans who deserve to live in our great American cities free from being targeted by violent criminals."

"This brutal attack on an innocent woman simply trying to get to her destination is an attack on the American way of life," said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. "Of course, crimes like this affect the victim the most-Iryna deserves justice, and we will bring justice to her and her family. But crimes like this also affect everyone who relies on mass transportation to get to and from work and go about their daily lives, and federal charges are necessary to protect the public and ensure confidence in our transportation systems."

"Iryna Zarutska had likely taken that train ride many times before. She was probably tired after a day at work and just wanted to go home, but tragically she never made it. We hope this federal charge will help bring her family a measure of justice and the courts will hold the subject charged in this horrific act accountable. Everyone in this country deserves to go work, to school, or just across town without fear of being attacked," said James C. Barnacle Jr., the FBI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge.

According to allegations in the affidavit filed with the criminal complaint:

On August 22, 2025, at approximately 9:55 p.m., officers with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) responded to a call for service related to an assault that occurred on the Lynx Blue Line light rail in Charlotte. Callers indicated that a woman had been stabbed by a male. Responding officers located the victim inside the rail car. The victim, subsequently identified as Iryna Zarutska, had sustained fatal stab wounds. A pocketknife and other items were collected from the scene.

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage that showed the victim entering the light rail car and sitting down in the row in front of Brown. Approximately four minutes later, Brown pulled a knife from his pocket and unfolded it before striking the victim three times from behind. Following the attack, Brown walked away from the victim. Responding officers located Brown on the light rail platform and he was arrested.

If convicted, Brown faces a maximum statutory sentence of life in prison or death. Ultimately, his sentence will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI is investigating the case with the assistance of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Odulio of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.

The charges against Brown are allegations and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.