President Donald Trump offered his condolences to the family of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee fatally stabbed aboard a Charlotte light rail train. After viewing the surveillance footage of the attack, Trump condemned the act as “horrible” and vowed to confront the “evil people” responsible for such violence.
What to Know:
Iryna Zarutska was stabbed to death on August 22 while riding Charlotte’s Lynx Blue Line.
The suspect, Decarlos Brown Jr., has 14 prior criminal cases and is charged with first-degree murder.
Surveillance footage shows Brown stabbing Zarutska without provocation; she died at the scene.
Trump called the attack “unwatchable” and blamed judicial failures and cashless bail policies.
Charlotte officials, including Mayor Vi Lyles, called the killing “senseless and tragic.”
Stay with Newsweek for the latest updates.
04:39 PM EDT
Trump says murdered Ukrainian refugee’s blood is on Democrats’ hands
President Donald Trump said he has now reviewed the footage of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska being stabbed to stabbed to death aboard a North Carolina light rail train.
“I have seen the horrific video of a beautiful, young Ukrainian refugee, who came to America to escape the vicious War in Ukraine, and was innocently riding the Metro in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she was brutally ambushed by a mentally deranged lunatic,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Monday afternoon.
The suspect in Zarutska’s murder has been identified as Decarlos Brown Jr., who has 14 prior criminal cases.
In his Truth Social post, Trump referred to the suspect as a “well known career criminal, who had been previously arrested and released on CASHLESS BAIL in January, a total of 14 TIMES.”
“What the hell was he doing riding the train, and walking the streets? Criminals like this need to be LOCKED UP,” her wrote.
“The blood of this innocent woman can literally be seen dripping from the killer’s knife, and now her blood is on the hands of the Democrats who refuse to put bad people in jail, including Former Disgraced Governor and “Wannabe Senator” Roy Cooper. North Carolina, and every State, needs LAW AND ORDER, and only Republicans will deliver it! Additionally, where is the outrage from the Mainstream Media on this horrible tragedy?”
04:17 PM EDT
Charlotte mayor criticized for response to stabbing of Ukrainian woman
The mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina, is under fire for her comments about the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee on public transport in which she referred to the suspect’s mental health issues.
Vi Lyles, a Democrat, faced criticism for her statement following the release of surveillance footage which showed Iryna Zarutska on a train on August 22 sitting in front of Decarlos Brown Jr. before she was stabbed.
Newsweek has contacted Lyles’ office for comment outside of office hours.
Lyles said Brown Jr., who has been arrested and faces a murder charge, had long struggled with mental health issues and looked likely to have “suffered a crisis.” Her comments that mental health problems must be “treated with the same compassion, diligence and commitment as cancer or heart disease” angered social media users who said this diminished the suspect’s accountability.
This prompted a lively online debate with X user Ian Miles Cheong who wrote that Lyles “didn’t speak about justice” for the victim or for accountability for a repeat offender who had allegedly been arrested 14 times before.
Alec Lace posted that Lyles had knelt for George Floyd, the Black man whose death at the hands of police in Minneapolis in 2020 prompted nationwide protests, but he now urged people “NOT to share the video” and criticized how Lyles did not mention the suspect’s name, calling on her to resign.
Co-owner of Trending Politics, Colin Rugg disparaged Lyles for saying that “Americans need to have more ‘compassion’ for the homeless.”
In a video shared by X owner Elon Musk, Kaizen D. Asiedu posted a video in which he took aim at Lyle’s comments for not mentioning the suspect’s previous arrests, adding “our empathy keeps getting used to excuse evil.”
03:59 PM EDT
Judge released Charlotte stabbing suspect on written promise months before attack
North Carolina Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes approved the release of Decarlos Brown Jr. in January 2025 after a misdemeanor arrest, relying solely on a written promise that he would return for his court hearing. Brown, later charged with the fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska aboard a Charlotte light rail train, had a long history of violent offenses and mental health issues.
At the time of his January arrest, Brown had called 911 during a welfare check, claiming “man-made” materials were controlling his body. Officers deemed the concern medical and arrested him for misuse of emergency services. Despite 14 prior arrests—including armed robbery and assault—Brown was released without bond.
His misdemeanor case was still pending when he allegedly stabbed Zarutska from behind on August 22, killing her as she rode home from work. The incident has reignited debate over judicial discretion, mental health intervention, and public safety.
03:44 PM EDT
WATCH: Trump calls Charlotte stabbing a ‘vicious’ attack
03:10 PM EDT
Who was Iryna Zarutska?
Iryna Zarutska was a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who came to Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2022 seeking safety from war. She was known for her vibrant spirit, artistic talent, and deep love for animals. A graduate of Synergy College in Kyiv with a degree in Art and Restoration, Iryna embraced her new life in the U.S., working at a local pizzeria while learning to drive and dreaming of becoming a veterinary assistant.
Her life was cut short on August 22 when she was fatally stabbed from behind while riding the Lynx Blue Line train home from work. Surveillance footage released by police shows the suspect, Decarlos Brown Jr., a career criminal, attacking her without warning. The brutality of the crime has sparked national outrage and renewed scrutiny of public safety and judicial accountability.
Her family described her as a gifted artist who brought warmth and kindness to everyone she met, per her obituary. Friends and coworkers continue to mourn her loss, remembering her optimism and generosity.
02:49 PM EDT
Decarlos Brown’s mother says he shouldn’t have been in the community
The mother of the man charged with the murder of Iryna Zarutska has spoken out against the decisions that allowed him to be released from jail.
The mother of Decarlos Brown Jr., who was charged with stabbing Zarutska to death in Charlotte, North Carolina, in August, said her son should not have been freed after he was arrested in January.
On Friday, officials released surveillance footage showing the moments before the deadly stabbing of a 23-year-old woman on a light rail in Charlotte last month, prompting new calls for safety on public transit.
The video, which the Charlotte Area Transit System released, shows Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, getting on the light rail and sitting in front of 34-year-old suspect Decarlos Brown Jr. for several minutes before the fatal incident. Brown has been charged with first-degree murder.
Brown’s mother, who spoke anonymously with local news, said the system that released her son, despite his criminal record and history of aggressive behavior, was “broken” and “failed.” “My heart goes out to the victim’s family. What he did was atrocious. It was horrible. It was wrong,” she told Channel 9.
Brown spent more than five years in prison for robbery with a deadly weapon before returning home to his mother. However, she kicked him out because of his aggression. “He started saying weird things,” she told Channel 9. “He started saying that he wasn’t in his body. The system failed him,” Brown’s mother said.
Kimberly Best, a retired North Carolina judge, told Channel 9 of the mental health system, “It’s broken, and we’ve known that for a long time.”
She also highlighted authorities’ inability to cope with serious mental health issues, adding that the system was capable of processing only a handful of people at a time. “If we don’t put the money in the front,” she added, “we’re definitely going to have to put the money in the back end.”
02:45 PM EDT
What to know about the fatal Charlotte train stabbing
On the evening of August 22, 2025, 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee seeking safety in the U.S., boarded the Charlotte LYNX Blue Line light rail at the East/West Boulevard station in the South End neighborhood.
Surveillance footage shows her sitting quietly before a man—identified by police as 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr.—pulled out a knife and stabbed her in the neck three times. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say the attack was random, with no prior interaction between the two.
Brown exited the train at the next stop and was quickly arrested.
He faces first-degree murder charges.
02:38 PM EDT
Race, crime and media bias collide on a Charlotte light rail train
Those who get their news primarily from the social media platform X were flooded over the weekend with posts about the killing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee stabbed to death on a Charlotte, N.C., light rail train. Surveillance footage released after delay by the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) shows Zarutska boarding the train after her shift at a pizzeria and taking a seat in front of a man later identified as 34-year-old Decarlos Brown, who is Black. Just four minutes later, Brown pulled out a pocket knife and stabbed her three times, including once in the neck.
Iryna Zarutska died on the train, having escaped from Vladimir Putin‘s war machine only to be murdered in a random act of American violence.
The footage — which pauses in the moment before the brutal attack — spread quickly across the platform formerly known as Twitter, where prominent right-leaning voices questioned why the random act of horrific violence, which occurred on Aug. 22, hadn’t received wider coverage from mainstream outlets, which mostly ignored the story until Monday — especially given its connection to the war in Ukraine.
Elon Musk, the platform’s owner and its most-followed user who is known for wading into controversies surrounding race and crime, posted about the case at least a dozen times over the weekend. He pinned a post comparing the coverage of Zarutska’s murder to George Floyd‘s killing in 2020, calling it a “Divide by zero ratio.”
Read in full from Jesus Mesa on Newsweek.
02:26 PM EDT
Exclusive—Ukraine Embassy responds to Iryna Zarutska stabbing in Charlotte
Ukraine’s embassy in the United States told Newsweek on Monday that it “has been in close contact” with the family of 23-year-old Charlotte stabbing victim Iryna Zarutska, and has been in communication with local law enforcement.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Ukrainian citizen Iryna Zarutska,” the embassy said in a statement.
“Since August 22, when this tragic incident occurred, the Embassy of Ukraine has been in close contact with Ms. Zarutska’s family and continues to provide them with all necessary consular support during this difficult time,” the statement continued.
“The Embassy is also in ongoing communication with local U.S. law enforcement authorities, specifically the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, which is actively investigating the case.”
Read the full story by Jenna Sundel, Andre Stanton, and Jason Lemon on Newsweek.
02:23 PM EDT
What to know about North Carolina judge Teresa Stokes, who presided over previous Brown case
North Carolina Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes serves in Mecklenburg County where she has recently come under public scrutiny following the fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska.
Court records show that Stokes presided over an earlier case involving suspect DeCarlos Brown Jr., in January 2025.
According to court and police record, police were conducting a welfare check on Brown, where he was diagnosed as schizophrenic. Brown told officers he wanted them to investigate what he believed were “man-made” materials inside his body controlling his eating, walking and talking.
When the officers refused, telling Brown it was a medical issue and there was nothing they could do, he called 911. He was arrested on the spot for misdemeanor “misuse of the 911 system.”
Judge Stokes released him based upon a “written promise” that Brown would return for his court hearing, a court document reveals.
Brown’s previous arrests include for violent offenses including physically assaulting his sister and armed robbery.
02:05 PM EDT
What has Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said of fatal train stabbing?
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles has offered her condolences to the family and friends of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutsk in the wake of her fatal stabbing.
Lyles said that the suspect appears to have “suffered a crisis” after a long history of mental disorders. She did not name Decarlos Brown.
She explained she was not “villainizing” people who struggle with mental health, adding that, “those who are unhoused are more frequently the victim of crimes and not the perpetrators.”
“We will never arrest our way out of issues such as homelessness and mental health,” she added.
“This is a tragic situation that sheds light on problems with society safety nets related to mental healthcare and the systems that should be in place,” Lyles said in her first public statement about the train stabbing in the days after the incident.
After surveillance footage of the attack emerged, Lyles released another statement, urging people not the share the video.
01:44 PM EDT
Decarlos Brown Jr. Criminal Record: What we know about suspect in Charlotte stabbing
Public scrutiny of Decarlos Brown Jr., who has been charged with killing 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, has intensified as records show he had been arrested 14 times and was known by authorities to have schizophrenia, according to local media.
The North Carolina judicial system is facing criticism, with questions over how a repeat offender with documented mental health issues was able to remain free and allegedly go on to commit murder.
Brown has been charged with first-degree murder in the August 22 attack. A video released by the Charlotte Area Transit System shows Zarutska sitting on the train shortly before Brown allegedly stood up and stabbed her in the neck from behind with a folding knife. She was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD).
Newsweek contacted CMPD and Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather for comment via email outside normal working hours on Monday.
Read in full from Robert Alexander on Newsweek.
01:32 PM EDT
Trump reacts to fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee
President Donald Trump on Monday reacted to the murder of a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Trump vowed to confront the “evil people” responsible for the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska during his remarks at the Museum of the Bible.
“We’re all people of religion, but there are evil people,” Trump said.
“And we have to confront that. I just give my love and hope to the family of the young woman who was stabbed this morning or last night in Charlotte by a madman.”
01:19 PM EDT
Exclusive—Ukraine embassy responds to Iryna Zarutska stabbing in Charlotte
Ukraine’s embassy in the United States told Newsweek on Monday that it “has been in close contact” with the family of 23-year-old Charlotte stabbing victim Iryna Zarutska, and has been in communication with local law enforcement.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Ukrainian citizen Iryna Zarutska,” the embassy said in a statement.
“Since August 22, when this tragic incident occurred, the Embassy of Ukraine has been in close contact with Ms. Zarutska’s family and continues to provide them with all necessary consular support during this difficult time,” the statement continued.
“The Embassy is also in ongoing communication with local U.S. law enforcement authorities, specifically the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, which is actively investigating the case.”
Read in full from Andrew Stanton on Newsweek.
12:38 PM EDT
Governor Stein calls for police funding after Charlotte train stabbing
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein is urging lawmakers to pass his law enforcement recruitment and retention package following the fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska aboard a Charlotte light rail train. In a statement posted to X, Stein said he was “heartbroken” for Zarutska’s family and “appalled” by the surveillance footage of the attack.
I am heartbroken for the family of Iryna Zarutska, who lost their loved one to this senseless act of violence, and I am appalled by the footage of her murder. We need more cops on the beat to keep people safe. That’s why my budget calls for more funding to hire more well-trained…
— Governor Josh Stein (@NC_Governor) September 8, 2025
12:02 PM EDT
The 1600: A national disgrace
The cool thing about subscribing to The 1600 is you can read it and be part of the national conversation before it even happens. What other political newsletters provide that service, for free no less?
On Friday, we had a difficult but important discussion here about the media, Democrats, and their “see-no-evil” approach to urban crime and disorder. The very next day, video emerges of a young, female Ukrainian refugee being stabbed in the neck and left to bleed out on a train in Charlotte, NC late last month. The woman, Iryna Zarutska, 23, had escaped a war zone to come work in America. She was murdered not by Vladimir Putin, but by Decarlos Brown, a violent career criminal with 14 previous arrests who — according to the CCTV video — got up from his seat and decided to kill her for no apparent reason. She was completely defenseless and didn’t even see it coming.
In the end, she would have had a better chance against the Russians…. and that should deeply shame us, as Americans.
You are forgiven if you have no idea what I am talking about. This story has gotten some local coverage, and has since been picked up by the right-wing tabloid press. But my compatriots in the lamestream media have thus far ignored it, for the exact reasons we so presciently noted on Friday: the killer is black and the victim is white. If the roles were reversed, do you think this story would not be on the homepage of the Times, Post, CNN, NBC, etc. right now? Even with the Ukraine connection, none of those outlets have even touched this story yet, based on my cursory Googling.
That will change today. President Trump was asked about Zarutska’s murder last night on his way back from the US Open and said he would look into it, as even he — the country’s #1 consumer of news media — was unaware of the crime. So expect some presidential tweets and furor today directed at the governor of North Carolina and the mayor of Charlotte, both of whom — conveniently for Trump — happen to be Democrats. And honestly, good. Along with the judge who let Brown out on bail despite having an open case for assaulting another woman, these politicians should need to answer for why this guy was on the street. Frankly, there should be resignations over this. (Newsflash: there won’t be.)
Look, violent crime is a fact of life in America. As many of you reminded me on Friday, we are a country with more guns than people. But this particular crime didn’t even require a gun. It just required a violent maniac with a pocket knife, riding the light rail and coming across a defenseless young woman. That it was recorded on video makes it all the more visceral. Democrats, particularly those who want to be president one day, have got to come up with an answer for what to do about this problem. And the answer cannot be some form of “Akshually…the data shows violent crime is coming down in Chicago/NYC/Charlotte/name your city.”
Read Carlo Versano’s full opinion by subscribing to The 1600 newsletter.
11:38 AM EDT
FBI data on violent crime rates in 30 cities
11:26 AM EDT
Who is Decarlos Brown Jr.? What we know
DeCarlos Brown Jr., a 34-year-old homeless man with a long history of criminal activity, is the suspect in the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte, North Carolina, light rail train on August 22, 2025.
Surveillance footage appears to show him attacking Zarutska with a pocket knife after sitting near her. She died at the scene, and Brown has since been charged with first-degree murder, with bond denied.
Brown’s criminal record stretches back to 2011, including arrests for armed robbery, larceny, breaking and entering, and assault. He previously served around six years in prison before being released in 2020 and faced multiple additional arrests afterward, including for assaulting his sister and misusing the 911 system earlier this year. His troubled background, including apparent mental health issues, has drawn criticism of the justice system’s handling of repeat offenders.
The murder sparked outrage and grief in Charlotte and beyond, especially given Zarutska had fled Ukraine’s war for safety in the U.S. A GoFundMe campaign for Brown’s legal defense was quickly shut down after backlash, while a fundraiser for Zarutska’s family raised tens of thousands of dollars. The case has fueled wider debates about homelessness, mental health, and failures in criminal justice.
11:23 AM EDT
GoFundMe responds to Decarlos Brown Jr. fundraiser
Fundraising site GoFundMe has said donation pages for a man suspected of murdering a Ukrainian refugee on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina, last month have “been removed.”
Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, has been charged with the murder of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, who was stabbed on August 22.
Screengrabs posted to social media over the weekend showed several GoFundMe fundraisers had been launched for Brown Jr.
Newsweek has also contacted Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) via email outside of normal office hours on Monday.
Read in full from Jordan King on Newsweek.
11:21 AM EDT
Charlotte murder, violent crime rates compared to other major U.S. cities
A deputy sheriff makes a traffic stop in Charlotte, North Carolina on November 8, 2018.
A deputy sheriff makes a traffic stop in Charlotte, North Carolina on November 8, 2018.
J. Michael Jones/iStock via Getty Images
The fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte, North Carolina, light rail train has rattled the local community as crime prevention remains a key priority for millions of Americans.
Newsweek reached out to the office of Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles for comment via email.
The stabbing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska in August comes as President Donald Trump has warned he could deploy the National Guard in major cities across the country to deal with concerns of crime—though the latest data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) showed that nationwide violent crime has decreased following a COVID-19, pandemic-era bump.
The stabbing occurred on August 22, but on Friday, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) released video showing the moments leading up to the stabbing, garnering national attention and sparking questions about the safety of Charlotte’s transportation system.
Read the full story by Andrew Stanton on Newsweek.
11:05 AM EDT
Business executive Mike Benz comments on stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska
Business executive Mike Benz said in a tweet this morning about the death of Iryna Zarutska: “When you see how beautiful Iryna Zarutska was, it’s likely she intentionally dressed in a baggy t-shirt, glasses and hat with hair up to ride the light rail specifically because she had a natural fear that otherwise might draw unwanted attention.”
When you see how beautiful Iryna Zarutska was, it’s likely she intentionally dressed in a baggy t-shirt, glasses and hat with hair up to ride the light rail specifically because she had a natural fear that otherwise might draw unwanted attention. And the animal still killed her. https://t.co/Vg2X2kfzIq
— Mike Benz (@MikeBenzCyber) September 8, 2025
10:51 AM EDT
Charlotte train stabbing sparks transit safety overhaul and political firestorm
The fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska aboard Charlotte’s Lynx Blue Line has triggered widespread scrutiny of the city’s transit safety protocols and judicial oversight. Councilman Edwin Peacock called the incident a blow to public trust and urged both Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) and police to reassess security measures.
CATS confirmed the train operator followed protocol, holding the train until police arrived. Surveillance footage of the attack was released on September 5. The suspect, Decarlos Brown Jr., who reportedly boarded without a valid ticket, was charged with first-degree murder.
In the aftermath, city officials and the district attorney cited the case as emblematic of deeper failures in Mecklenburg County’s mental health and justice systems. CATS announced plans to increase fare inspections, install new ticket validators, and expand security staffing.
10:31 AM EDT
Ukrainian influencers respond to Charlotte stabbing of Iryna Zarutska
Ukrainian influencers shared their thoughts on the stabbing death of Iryna Zautska on X.
After surviving russia’s war on Ukraine, 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska was stabbed to death on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina. By an American man.
For days, I’ve watched in silence as her murder is twisted for your domestic culture war.
Americans watched a Ukrainian woman… pic.twitter.com/XSfv8WG21y
— Kate from Kharkiv (@BohuslavskaKate) September 7, 2025
Interesting how all the accounts cheering 🇷🇺 genocide of Ukrainians as “denazification” are suddenly concerned we’re not racist enough pic.twitter.com/OtGx7rfd98
— Kate Levchuk 🇺🇦🇵🇱🏴 (@KateGoesTech) September 7, 2025
10:13 AM EDT
Donald Trump Jr. responds to Charlotte stabbing: ‘Clowns with Ukraine flags in their bio’ are ‘silent’
Donald Trump Jr. shared a post on X, criticizing those who haven’t spoken out about Iryna Zarutska’s stabbing.
“Strangely, all the clowns with Ukraine flags in their bio are also all silent on this one,” he wrote.
Zarutska was a Ukrainian refugee.
10:00 AM EDT
Attorney calls out judicial leniency
Attorney Hunter Pollack commented in response to the fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska aboard a Charlotte light rail train, using the case to highlight what he sees as systemic failures in the justice system.
In a post on X, quoting one by Elon Musk, Pollack shared his own experience as a victim of aggravated stalking and threats to kill, saying the judge in his case cited mental illness to justify low bail for the suspect, who was later re-arrested for violating probation.
I was a victim of written threat to kill and aggravated stalking and I watched the judge use mental illness as an excuse to let the suspect out with low bail.
Weeks later, he was re-arrested for violating probation. https://t.co/q3Yah5nuiH
— Hunter Pollack (@PollackHunter) September 8, 2025
09:22 AM EDT
Piers Morgan questions why Iryna Zarutska stabbing isn’t getting media coverage
British broadcaster Piers Morgan is demanding answers after the fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light rail train drew limited national media coverage. In a post on X, Morgan called the murder “disgusting, senseless, unprovoked” and questioned why the story hasn’t dominated headlines.
Why is the disgusting, senseless, unprovoked murder of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska by a man named Decarlos Brown Jr. on a train in Charlotte NC not getting more media attention?! pic.twitter.com/9UDPxguWhN
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 7, 2025
09:02 AM EDT
Grenell demands accountability for judge in Charlotte train stabbing case
Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions of the United States Richard Grenell is calling for transparency and consequences in the wake of the fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska aboard a Charlotte light rail train. In a post on X, Grenell questioned why the judge who released suspect Decarlos Brown Jr.—despite multiple prior assault charges—has not been publicly identified by major news outlets.
“This is incompetence,” Grenell wrote. “There should be consequences for judges who make our society less safe.” He also criticized the judicial system’s lack of oversight, noting that many judges enjoy lifetime appointments, generous compensation, and minimal accountability.
Why don’t we see the name of the judge who released the Charlotte killer after multiple assault charges on every single news outlet?
Who is it? This is incompetence and there should be consequences for judges who make our society less safe.
These judges have lifetime…
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) September 8, 2025
08:47 AM EDT
GOP leaders to address Charlotte safety crisis after train stabbing
In the wake of Iryna Zarutska’s fatal stabbing aboard a Charlotte light rail train, Republican leaders from Mecklenburg County, the 12th District, and the North Carolina GOP are set to speak out about rising crime and public safety failures. The groups say Charlotte’s security is “at stake,” and are calling for accountability from city officials and judicial authorities.
🚨ENOUGH🚨
Charlotte’s safety is at stake. MECKGOP, 12th District GOP & NCGOP will speak out after the murder of Iryna Zarutska.
📅 Wed, Sept 10 – 10 AM
📍 Parkwood Light Rail Station, 327 Parkwood Ave, CLT
Stand with us & demand action. #MeckGOP #NCGOP #NCPOL pic.twitter.com/4X0AiLAljn
— MeckGOP (@meckgop) September 6, 2025
08:33 AM EDT
Judges under scrutiny over Decarlos Brown Jr as criminal history revealed
Judges who previously released a man charged in the fatal stabbing of a woman on the light rail in Charlotte, North Carolina, have come under scrutiny after details of his violent criminal history were revealed.
Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, is accused of fatally stabbing 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, on August 22. He has been charged with first-degree murder.
Officials released surveillance footage of the attack on Friday, which prompted an outcry. Congressman Randy Fine has said he plans to introduce legislation “to hold judges accountable” if they release violent offenders who go on to later reoffend. Newsweek has contacted Fine’s office for further comment via an email sent outside regular business hours.
Read the full story by Khaleda Rahman on Newsweek.
08:19 AM EDT
About Decarlos Brown, man who stabbed Iryna Zarutska
Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, is accused of fatally stabbing 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, on August 22.
Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, is accused of fatally stabbing 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, on August 22.
Mecklenburg County Sheriff Office
The man accused in the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska is 34-year-old Decarlos Brown, a Charlotte resident with a lengthy criminal history. Brown was charged with first-degree murder after surveillance footage captured him attacking Zarutska on a light rail train on August 22. The video shows Brown seated behind the victim before pulling out a folding knife and stabbing her multiple times without provocation.
Court records reveal Brown has faced 14 prior cases in Mecklenburg County, including convictions for robbery with a dangerous weapon, breaking and entering, and larceny, per WCNC. He served six years in prison following a 2015 sentence and was released despite repeated offenses.
Following his arrest, Brown was hospitalized for a laceration and later ordered to undergo a 60-day psychiatric evaluation. The case has reignited debate over judicial discretion and repeat offender policies, with critics pointing to systemic failures that allowed Brown to remain free.
08:06 AM EDT
Musk blames judges, donors for Charlotte stabbing fallout
Elon Musk weighed in on the fallout from the Charlotte train stabbing, calling for sweeping legal reforms and public accountability for judicial and prosecutorial decisions.
In a post on X, Musk urged followers to “name and shame” district attorneys and judges who, in his words, “enable murder, rape and robbery.” He added that campaign donors behind these officials deserve even greater scrutiny: “That will make the biggest difference.”
Let’s change the law.
Between now and then, name and shame the DAs and judges who enable murder, rape and robbery.
But especially shame those who funded the campaigns of the DAs and judges. That will make the biggest difference. https://t.co/SirIuQcs2S
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 8, 2025
07:54 AM EDT
Congressman Randy Fine calls for judicial accountability after Charlotte stabbing
Congressman Randy Fine announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at holding judges accountable when repeat offenders they release commit new crimes.
“Those 12+ judges that released Decarlos Brown Jr. should have their day in court too,” he wrote on X.
I’m going to introduce legislation to hold judges accountable when violent repeat offenders they release commit new crimes.
It’s easy to release criminals when you’re protected by an armed bailiff at all times. The rest of us aren’t so lucky.
Those 12+ judges that released…
— Congressman Randy Fine (@RepFine) September 7, 2025
07:42 AM EDT
Trump calls tragedy ‘horrible’
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump is planning to look into the kiIIing of Iryna Zarutska on a train in Charlotte
“Horrible… I’ll know all about it by tomorrow morning.”
After the Charlotte Mayor refused to condemn the attacker, the city may need federal intervention. pic.twitter.com/3vefQcnpXK
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 7, 2025
Trump told reporters yesterday that he would look into the killing of Iryna Zarutska.
“Horrible,” he said. Then, added, “I’ll know all about it by tomorrow morning.”
07:28 AM EDT
Video shows moments before deadly stabbing on Charlotte Blue Line
Officials on Friday released surveillance footage showing the moments just before the deadly stabbing of a 23-year-old woman on a Charlotte, North Carolina, light rail last month, prompting new calls for safety on public transit.
The video, released by the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), shows Iryna Zarutska, a Ukranian refugee, get on the light rail and sit in front of 34-year-old suspect Decarlos Brown Jr. for several minutes before the fatal incident.
Brown Jr. has been charged with first-degree murder, according to a press release issued by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) in August.
Newsweek has reached out to the Charlotte district attorney’s office for more information on the court appearance schedule for Brown via email during non-working hours on Sunday.
Read the full story by Hollie Silverman on Newsweek.