iryna what happened

Iryna Zarutska was a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who fled the war in Ukraine and settled in Charlotte, North Carolina. On August 22, 2025, while riding a light rail train late at night after work, she was fatally stabbed in an unprovoked attack by Decarlos Brown Jr., a man with a history of mental illness and a criminal record. Brown stabbed her multiple times, and she died on the train despite efforts by passengers to help her. The attacker was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Zarutska was described by neighbors as kind, shy, artistic, and determined to build a new life in America. She worked at a local pizzeria and was also skilled in painting, leaving behind beautiful floral artworks. Brown, who exhibited signs of mental breakdown and believed Zarutska was reading his thoughts, had a troubled past including convictions for robbery and other crimes. His family and mother also noted his struggles with hallucinations and schizophrenia, and the attack has sparked discussions about mental health, public safety, and justice system failures. The case has drawn international attention and sparked outrage, highlighting Zarutska's tragic fate as a refugee seeking safety and a new beginning in the United States.