Woke Charlotte mayor says city 'can't arrest our way out of issues' like 'mental health' after footage of brutal murder goes viral

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles is facing backlash after responding to the brutal stabbing of a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee by saying the city “will never arrest our way out” of issues like homelessness and mental health.

The victim, Iryna Zarutska, was stabbed to death in late August while riding a light rail train. The suspect was identified as 34-year-old Decarlos Brown, who had a long criminal history and no prior connection to Zarutska. 

In her first statement following the murder, Lyles emphasized that the suspect appeared to have mental health issues and claimed that the transit system in Charlotte is “by and large” safe.

“We will never arrest our way out of issues such as homelessness and mental health,” Lyles said, according to WCNC. "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."

The case has since brought renewed attention after surveillance footage released by the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) showed the incident, where Brown was seen sitting behind the victim before suddenly attacking her at random. Brown pulled out a pocket knife and stabbed Zautska multiple times before casually walking away with blood dripping from his knife and hands.

“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 her recent statement, per WCNC. “This was a senseless and tragic loss. My prayers remain with her loved ones as they continue to grieve through an unimaginable time.”

She continued, “Like so many of you, I’m heartbroken — and I’ve been thinking hard about what safety really looks like in our city. I remain committed to doing all we can to protect our residents and ensure Charlotte is a place where everyone feels safe."

The suspect has been charged with first-degree murder, but this charge is yet another in a lengthy criminal history. 

Brown has spent the majority of his adult life in and out of jail. According to the New York Post, his criminal record dates back to 2011 and includes felony larceny, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and communicating threats. 

He previously served five years in prison for armed robbery and was arrested just months after being released for assaulting his sister. Earlier this year, he was arrested for abusing the 911 system after calling about a supposed “man-made material” inside his body controlling his actions.

A GoFundMe created by Zautska’s family noted that she had recently arrived in the United States to seek “safety from the war and hoping for a new beginning.”

“Tragically, her life was cut short far too soon,” the fundraiser said.