Family Sues Charlotte Over Ukrainian Refugee's Train Stabbing Death

One year after 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska was killed on August 22, 2025, her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Charlotte and security firm Professional Police Services.

They allege the transit system ignored repeated violence, failed to staff promised security, and did not enforce fares that could have barred attacker DeCarlos Brown Jr., who had 14 prior arrests.

Brown faces first-degree murder charges but remains incompetent for trial after over a year, as her story prompts calls for better transit safety and accountability.