The U.S. Justice Department released the information below:
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal criminal complaint was filed in U.S. District
Court in Charlotte today, charging Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., 34, with a
federal crime in connection with the fatal attack of Iryna Zarutska on the
city’s light rail system. Brown is charged with one count of committing an act
causing death on a mass transportation system.
“Iryna Zarutska
was a young woman living the American dream — her horrific murder is a direct
result of failed soft-on-crime policies that put criminals before innocent
people,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I have directed my attorneys to
federally prosecute DeCarlos Brown Jr., a repeat violent offender with a
history of violent crime, for murder. We will seek the maximum penalty for this
unforgivable act of violence — he will never again see the light of day as a
free man.”
“The brutal
attack on Iryna Zarutska on the Charlotte Light Rail was a disgraceful act
that should never happen in America,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The FBI
jumped to assist in this investigation immediately to ensure justice is served
and the perpetrator is never released from jail to kill again. I want to thank
Attorney General Bondi for her pursuit of today’s federal charges, which are
the first step toward delivering justice for Iryna and her family – as well as
the millions of Americans who deserve to live in our great American cities free
from being targeted by violent criminals."
According to
allegations in the affidavit filed with the criminal complaint:
On August 22,
2025, at approximately 9:55 p.m., officers with the Charlotte Mecklenburg
Police Department (CMPD) responded to a call for service related to an assault
that occurred on the Lynx Blue Line light rail in Charlotte. Callers indicated
that a woman had been stabbed by a male. Responding officers located the victim
inside the rail car. The victim, subsequently identified as Iryna Zarutska, had
sustained fatal stab wounds. A pocketknife and other items were collected from
the scene.
Investigators
reviewed surveillance footage that showed the victim entering the light rail
car and sitting down in the row in front of Brown. Approximately four minutes
later, Brown pulled a knife from his pocket and unfolded it before striking the
victim three times from behind. Following the attack, Brown walked away from
the victim. Responding officers located Brown on the light rail platform and he
was arrested.
“This brutal
attack on an innocent woman simply trying to get to her destination is an
attack on the American way of life,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “Of
course, crimes like this affect the victim the most—Iryna deserves justice, and
we will bring justice to her and her family. But crimes like this also
affect everyone who relies on mass transportation to get to and from work and
go about their daily lives, and federal charges are necessary to protect the
public and ensure confidence in our transportation systems.”
If convicted,
Brown faces a maximum statutory sentence of life in prison or death.
Ultimately, his sentence will be determined by the Court based on the advisory
sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI is
investigating the case with the assistance of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police
Department.
Assistant U.S.
Attorney Mark Odulio of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting
the case.
The charges against Brown are allegations and he is presumed
innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of
law.
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