NC governor calls for more cops after video of brutal murder of Ukrainian refugee goes public—suspect was arrested 14 times

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein responded Monday to the murder of a young Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte light rail train by calling for more police funding in a statement posted to X. It comes after the revelation that the suspect is a life long criminal with a rap sheet that includes several violent incidents.

“I am heartbroken for the family of Iryna Zarutska, who lost their loved one to this senseless act of violence, and I am appalled by the footage of her murder,” Stein wrote on X. She was killed on August 22, but he only released his statement following the video release.

“We need more cops on the beat to keep people safe. That’s why my budget calls for more funding to hire more well-trained police officers. I call upon the legislature to pass my law enforcement recruitment and retention package to address vacancies in our state and local agencies so they can stop these horrific crimes and hold violent criminals accountable.”

Brown had multiple interactions with police and was arrested 14 times. He was convicted of felonies and served 5 years in prison. When he was arrested in 2025, he was let go on his own recognizance. This led Will Chamberlain to say it wasn't the lack of police that are the problem, but the lack of actual enforcement of existing laws.
 

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles faced backlash after she said the city “will never arrest our way out” of problems like homelessness and mental illness. “Mental health disease is just that — a disease like any other that needs to be treated with the same compassion, diligence and commitment as cancer or heart disease,” Lyles said, insisting Charlotte’s transit system is “by and large” safe.

Video released by the Charlotte Area Transit System shows what actually happens on the transit system. Surveillance footage shows 34-year-old Decarlos Brown sitting behind Zarutska before pulling out a knife and stabbing her multiple times. He then walked off the train, blood dripping from his weapon and clothes, as other riders scattered.

“The video of the heartbreaking attack that took Iryna Zarutska’s life is now public. I want to thank our media partners and community members who have chosen not to repost or share the footage out of respect for Iryna’s family,” Lyles said in a later statement. “This was a senseless and tragic loss. My prayers remain with her loved ones as they continue to grieve through an unimaginable time.”

Brown, charged with first-degree murder, has spent much of his adult life in and out of jail and have been convicted of multiple felonies.

His record includes felony larceny, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and armed robbery. He served five years in prison before being arrested again for assaulting his sister, and earlier this year was picked up for misusing the 911 system after claiming “man-made material” was inside his body controlling his actions. Despite his history, he was released without bond and a court-ordered mental health evaluation never took place.