Mon Sep 08 18:10:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
A woman, Iryna Zarutska, was fatally stabbed on the Charlotte Lynx Blue Line light rail on August 22nd. Decarlos Brown Jr. has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Surveillance video obtained by WBTV shows the moments leading up to, during, and after the attack. The video depicts Brown exhibiting emotional behavior before Zarutska boarded, then later unfolding a pocket knife and attacking her. Passengers are seen reacting to the aftermath, and Brown is seen exiting the train at the next stop. The attack occurred within minutes of Zarutska entering the train.
**News Article:**
**Charlotte, NC – Surveillance Video Released in Deadly Light Rail Stabbing**
WBTV has obtained surveillance video footage of the August 22nd stabbing on the Charlotte Lynx Blue Line that resulted in the death of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska. The video, released September 5th, shows the moments before and after the deadly attack, which occurred around 9:50 p.m.
Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Zarutska’s death. He is currently being held without bond and undergoing a competency evaluation.
WBTV’s edited version of the surveillance video, which omits the graphic stabbing itself, shows Brown, wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, acting erratically before Zarutska boards the train. Zarutska, dressed in what appears to be a work uniform, enters the train and sits down in front of Brown. Moments later, Brown can be seen taking out a pocket knife and attacking Zarutska, stabbing her multiple times in the throat, according to WBTV’s observations of the unedited video.
The video shows passengers reacting to the aftermath of the attack. Brown is seen moving through the rail car, removing his sweatshirt, while passengers move away. At least one passenger attempts to help Zarutska. Brown then exits the train at the next stop.
The attack occurred within minutes of Zarutska boarding the train. According to authorities, Brown was apprehended shortly after the incident. He was treated at a hospital for a hand laceration and subsequently charged with murder. It is believed that Zarutska and Brown did not know each other, and a motive for the stabbing has not yet been released.
*WBTV chose not to include the graphic video of the stabbing in order to protect the safety and well-being of its viewers.*
First Piper 