Her devastated family said she came to America “to find peace and safety” but instead faced a horrific end, demanding justice and systemic reforms to prevent similar tragedies.

The family of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska is demanding justice and accountability after her brutal killing on a Charlotte

light rail train last month, a horrifying act that has reignited public anger over repeat offenders, mental health failures, and the safety of public transportation in one of North Carolina’s largest cities.

Zarutska, who fled war-torn Ukraine seeking safety in the United States, was fatally stabbed in broad daylight by 34-year-old repeat offender Decarlos Brown Jr. Surveillance footage captured the shocking attack:

Brown sat behind the young woman for several minutes before suddenly unsheathing a knife and stabbing her multiple times as other passengers scrambled in terror. She died on the train before help could arrive.

“We are heartbroken beyond words,” her family said in a statement released through their attorneys. “Iryna came here to find peace and safety, and instead her life was stolen from her in the most horrific way. No family should have to go through this.”

The murder, described by local media as “random and ruthless,” occurred in August aboard a Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) light rail train.

Video of the attack quickly spread across social media, with some platforms rushing to remove it at the request of her grieving relatives, who urged the public not to share the final moments of their daughter’s life.

Her family, who remain in Ukraine, said Iryna had been full of hope for a new beginning. Friends recalled her as a lively young woman with a passion for music and travel.

On Instagram, she had recently posted a photo of herself at an airport, flashing a playful “rock on” hand gesture. “She wanted a normal life,” one close friend said. “Instead, she faced violence again—just like the war she fled from.”

The man accused of killing her, Decarlos Brown Jr., has a lengthy criminal record and a well-documented history of mental illness. According to court filings, he had been arrested at least 14 times prior to the stabbing and was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

In January, just months before the killing, a magistrate judge allowed him to walk free on lax terms despite repeated run-ins with the law.

Brown’s own family has expressed anguish and frustration. His half-brother Jeremiah told reporters that the system had failed both Iryna and Decarlos.

“I think they could have pretty much prevented it then,” he said, referring to the judge’s decision to release Brown earlier this year.

“He could do it again. They should still treat him for his mental issues but there are consequences for his actions. I think he should suffer the consequences.”

The killing has sparked fierce debate in Charlotte and beyond about public safety, judicial accountability, and mental health treatment. Critics blasted city leaders for a perceived lack of urgency in addressing violent crime.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles came under fire for her initial comments, in which she urged “compassion” for Brown’s mental state—a response that many saw as tone-deaf to the grieving family and the broader safety concerns of residents.

National figures have weighed in as well. Former President Donald Trump called the attack “a horrific and senseless murder that requires horrible actions in response,” demanding harsher penalties for repeat offenders and more stringent oversight of public safety.

Online, the case became a flashpoint in the ongoing culture war, with commentators accusing mainstream institutions of downplaying the crime.

Even Wikipedia came under scrutiny when a page dedicated to Zarutska’s murder was briefly nominated for deletion, sparking accusations of censorship.

Meanwhile, federal authorities have stepped in. On Tuesday, the Justice Department announced that Brown would face federal charges of committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system, in addition to state charges of murder. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

The tragedy has left Charlotte residents shaken, with many questioning whether the city’s public transportation system is safe. Ridership on the CATS light rail, already hit hard by the pandemic, has seen a further dip in recent weeks as commuters express fear of riding alone.

Community activists have called for increased security patrols on trains and at stations, while some are demanding broader reforms of the city’s criminal justice policies.

For Iryna’s family, however, the focus remains on preserving her memory and demanding accountability. Through their attorneys, they have urged the media to respect her dignity by avoiding graphic images and sensationalism.

“We will never get her back,” the family spokesperson said. “But we can ensure that no other family has to endure the same nightmare.”

As the legal process unfolds, the case of Iryna Zarutska is becoming a rallying cry for both immigrant communities and long-time residents who say Charlotte must do more to protect its most vulnerable.

“She came here to find safety,” one supporter said at a candlelight vigil held near the train station. “Instead, she found the very violence she was running from. That should never happen—not here, not anywhere.”

The vigil ended with silence as attendees held candles in her memory, a stark reminder of the young life cut short. On social media, the message was repeated again and again: “Justice for Iryna.”

The story of her murder is still unfolding, with more court proceedings and community responses expected in the coming weeks.

But for many in Charlotte, one truth has already crystallized—what happened to Iryna Zarutska is not just a tragedy, but a failure that demands change.