Man indicted in fatal Charlotte light rail stabbing; court hearing set for October

(QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A grand jury has indicted Decarlos Brown Jr. for the murder of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, who was fatally stabbed in late August while riding the Charlotte light rail.

The indictment, handed down on September 15, formally charges Brown with first-degree murder. He is accused of stabbing Zarutska on Aug. 22, while both were on the CATS Blue Line.

According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police and CATS surveillance video released of the attack, there was no prior interaction between the two before Brown attacked her.

The violent stabbing happened shortly before 10 p.m. near the East/West Blvd station in South End. Witnesses directed CMPD officers to Brown, who was found nearby wearing clothes matching 911 descriptions. Brown also had a laceration on his hand, according to police.

A folding knife was found near the outbound platform, CMPD said.

Security video shows Zarutska taking a seat near the suspect before Brown suddenly stood up and stabbed her in the throat. She tragically died at the scene a few minutes later.

Brown was taken into custody that night and later hospitalized for treatment before he was transported to the Mecklenburg County Detention Center. He currently remains there without bond. An order was also filed for Brown to be committed to Central Regional Hospital – Butner for a period not to exceed 60 days for observation and treatment, to determine his capacity to proceed. An administrative court hearing is scheduled for this October.

If Brown does not request a formal arraignment within 21 days of receiving the indictment, a not guilty plea will be entered on his behalf by the court. At this time, Brown has not entered a plea.

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