January 1, Ukrainian Refugee Killed on Charlotte Train Sparks Outrage

Wyatt’s Take

• A young Ukrainian woman seeking safety in America was fatally stabbed in Charlotte.
• Her accused killer, a man with a criminal history, was arrested right after the attack.
• The tragedy has people demanding better security on public transit.

Iryna Zarutska, just 23, came to the U.S. to escape the war in Ukraine but lost her life after a stabbing at a Charlotte light rail station. Police say the attack happened Friday night on a busy platform, shocking the local community and Zarutska’s family back home.

A GoFundMe set up for Zarutska’s loved ones has raised over $12,000. Organizers shared,

“Dear friends, our Valeria has suffered a terrible tragedy.”

Her niece Ira, 22, had just arrived in America to start a new life but was killed before she could settle in.

The violence happened at the East/West Boulevard station. Officers responded at 10:30 p.m., but Zarutska died at the scene. Police arrested Decarlos Brown, 34, soon after. They said he and Zarutska didn’t know each other and that the attack happened on the train itself.

Records show Brown has faced multiple charges since 2011, from larceny to robbery, with most charges dropped over time.

Now, city leaders are calling for action. Council member Dimple Ajmera asked for urgent steps to protect riders and restore trust in Charlotte’s transit system at a Monday meeting.

This heartbreaking crime has rattled folks and renewed worries about public safety for everyone.

Wyatt Matters

Stories like this strike at the heart of every hard-working American family. Everyone ought to have the freedom to travel without fear. We need leaders who put safety first, not just talk about it.

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