Charlotte light rail stabbing suspect Decarlos Brown indicted by federal grand jury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Decarlos Brown, the man accused of stabbing Iryna Zarutska to death on the Blue Line train Aug. 22, was indicted Wednesday on federal charges. 

A grand jury out of Western North Carolina’s US District Court issued the indictment for violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death.  

The document states that Brown, 35, “did knowingly and without lawful authority and permission commit an act, including the use of a dangerous weapon, with the intent to cause death and serious bodily injury to any person… for this offense in on, against, and affecting a mass transportation provider, to wit, the Charlotte Area Transit System.” 

CATS surveillance video shows a man believed to be Brown riding the light rail train, and when Zarutska came on board, without confrontation, he allegedly stabbed her from behind. She was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Brown also faces a state charge of first-degree murder for the killing. Zarutska’s family released the following statement following the indictment:

“The family is pleased the federal grand jury returned the indictment against Decarlos Brown Jr. We are hopeful for swift justice.”

Zarutska’s death has led to a flood of policy changes for CATS, the city, plus a Republican-backed tough-on-crime bill that aims to make posting bond more difficult. 

If convicted, the federal charge could lead to life in prison or the death penalty, and a maximum fine of  $250,000 and supervised release for up to five years.