DeCarlos Brown Jr. was arrested for the murder of Iryna Zarutska last month.
Officials last week released video footage showing the moments leading up to the killing of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian war refugee, on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, prompting questions about crime and public safety.
Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, is accused of killing the woman. He was charged with first-degree murder last month, police said in an Aug. 29 statement.
The footage was released by the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) on Sept. 5.
Here’s what we know.
Video Shows Moments Before Incident
Brown is allegedly shown pulling out a knife and standing up behind 23-year-old Zarutska before the video cuts as he prepares to stab her, according to the footage. The video footage doesn’t show the stabbing occurring.
Zarutska appears to be unaware of Brown’s actions and is scrolling on her phone.
The footage later shows Brown walking through the train with blood dripping on the floor as he carries a weapon. Bystanders do not appear to take notice of Brown or the woman who was fatally stabbed behind them.
Brown was arrested last month over the incident, officials said in a statement at the time.
Court and jail records show that Brown has past convictions for robbery, larceny, breaking and entering, and shoplifting. He served five years in prison for armed robbery.
It’s not clear whether Brown has legal representation.
Moved to Escape War
According to an obituary published after her death, Zarutska was born in 2002 in Kyiv, Ukraine, and moved to the United States in mid-2022 with family members “to escape the war” with Russia that erupted just months earlier.
“Iryna will be remembered for her kindness, her creativity, and the lasting impression she left on everyone she met. Her absence leaves a deep void, but her spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved her,” the obituary said, in part.
“She dreamed of pursuing a career as a Veterinary Assistant while also working toward her independence by learning to drive. Remarkably, she became fluent in English within a very short time, reflecting her determination and love of learning.”
A GoFundMe was also established, raising $81,000 as of Monday morning for her family members.
