BREAKING: DOJ files federal charges against Decarlos Brown in murder of Iryna Zarutska

Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote, "Iryna Zarutska was a young woman living the American dream — her horrific murder is a direct result of failed soft-on-crime policies that put criminals before innocent people. I have directed my attorneys to federally prosecute DeCarlos Brown Jr., a repeat violent offender with a history of violent crime, for murder. We will seek the maximum penalty for this unforgivable act of violence — he will never again see the light of day as a free man."

The Department of Justice said in a press release that a federal criminal complaint was filed in the US District Court in Charlotte charging 34-year-old Brown with one count of committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system.

FBI Director Kash Patel said, "The brutal attack on Iryna Zarutska on the Charlotte Light Rail was a disgraceful act that should never happen in America. The FBI jumped to assist in this investigation immediately to ensure justice is served and the perpetrator is never released from jail to kill again. I want to thank Attorney General Bondi for her pursuit of today’s federal charges, which are the first step toward delivering justice for Iryna and her family – as well as the millions of Americans who deserve to live in our great American cities free from being targeted by violent criminals."

Zarutska came to the US to flee the war raging on in her home country. On the night of August 22, Zarutska boarded the light rail train and sat down in front of Brown, who moments later pulled out a pocketknife, stood up, and stabbed her three times from behind. Footage showed bystanders doing nothing as Zarutska cowered in her seat and Brown was seen walking away.