Charlotte Suspect Faces Federal Charges For Fatal Train Stabbing

The Justice Department has filed federal charges against DeCarlos Brown Jr. for the fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light rail train in August 2025. Brown, 34, who has a lengthy history of violent crime and mental health issues including schizophrenia, faces charges that could lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty. The attack, captured on video, has sparked a national debate on violent crime, mental illness, and transit safety in cities like Charlotte, with officials emphasizing the need to protect public transportation users. Federal authorities, including the FBI, have joined local law enforcement in the investigation to ensure justice and prevent further violence. The case has also prompted a state auditor's investigation into safety protocols on the Charlotte Area Transit System, as no security personnel were present on the train during the attack. Attorney General Pam Bondi and other officials have condemned the attack as an unforgivable act of violence and pledged to seek the maximum penalty against Brown.