On August 22, 2025, 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska was fatally stabbed aboard a Charlotte light rail train. The assailant, Decarlos Brown Jr., a 34-year-old with a history of mental illness and over a dozen prior arrests, attacked Zarutska without provocation. Surveillance footage showed Brown sitting behind Zarutska before the unprovoked assault. He was arrested shortly after exiting the train and now faces both state and federal murder charges.
The incident has ignited a national conversation about public transit safety and the effectiveness of pretrial release policies. Brown had been released without bond earlier in the year despite his extensive criminal history and mental health issues. This has led to widespread criticism of cashless bail practices and calls for reform.
In response to Zarutska’s death, North Carolina lawmakers introduced “Iryna’s Law” (House Bill 307), aiming to address perceived gaps in the state’s criminal justice system. The bill proposes eliminating cashless bail for violent offenders, implementing mandatory mental health evaluations for certain individuals, and introducing aggravated sentencing for crimes committed on public transportation. Additionally, the legislation seeks to reinstate the death penalty in the state, which has been inactive since 2006.
The bill passed the North Carolina Senate and House and now awaits Governor Josh Stein’s decision. While the legislation has garnered bipartisan support, some critics argue that it may not effectively address the underlying issues that contributed to Zarutska’s death, such as mental health care access and systemic flaws in the justice system.
Zarutska’s tragic death has also led to increased scrutiny of public transit safety measures. The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) has been urged to enhance security protocols, including increased fare inspections and the potential deployment of additional security personnel on trains and platforms.
As the community continues to mourn Zarutska’s loss, her family has expressed a desire for justice and meaningful reform. They hope that “Iryna’s Law” will serve as a catalyst for broader changes in the state’s approach to criminal justice and public safety.