Ukrainian refugee killed in random North Carolina practice stabbing

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Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old refugee from Ukraine , got here to the U.S. searching for security from her war-torn homeland, however was stabbed to demise on a practice in North Carolina.

Zarutska was born to oldsters Anna Zarutska and Stanislav Zarutskyi on Could 22, 2002. She is remembered by her buddies as a passionate artist with a deep love for animals, with a aim of changing into a veterinary assistant, in response to her obituary.

Earlier than coming to the U.S., she graduated from Synergy Faculty in Kyiv with a level in artwork and restoration. Her obituary famous that Zarutska used her expertise to make artworks for family members.

"Iryna will probably be remembered for her kindness, her creativity, and the lasting impression she left on everybody she met. Her absence leaves a deep void, however her spirit will endlessly stay within the hearts of those that beloved her," her obituary learn.

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Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska got here to the U.S. to flee struggle however was stabbed to demise in Charlotte on Friday, Aug. 22. (Evgeniya Rush/GoFundMe)

In August 2022, Zarutska, her mom, sister and brother immigrated to the U.S. to flee the struggle in Ukraine. Zarutska was mentioned to have rapidly embraced her new life within the U.S. and have become fluent in English.

"She was at all times very useful, very supportive and simply had a coronary heart of gold," a household buddy recognized by her first title, Lonnie, advised WCNC Charlotte . "She was a sweetheart. And it makes me sick to suppose that she's gone."

On Aug. 22, Zarutska boarded a practice in Charlotte, North Carolina , on her means dwelling from work at Zepeddie's Pizzeria. Nonetheless in her uniform, Zarutska sat down in entrance of a person sporting a purple hoodie. Moments later, the person pulled out a knife and stabbed her to demise. The suspect was later recognized as Decarlos Brown, who was arrested and charged with homicide.

Surveillance video displaying the second earlier than a younger Ukrainian lady was stabbed to demise in a random assault on the Lynx Blue Line on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (NewsNation through Charlotte Space Transit System)

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After Zarutska’s killing, Zepeddie's Pizzeria issued an announcement on social media, calling her demise "an incredible loss."

"We misplaced not solely an unimaginable worker, however a real buddy. Our expensive Iryna left this world far too quickly, and our hearts are heavy with grief," Zepeddie’s Pizzeria wrote on Instagram . "As we proceed to course of this tragedy, we ask on your understanding and respect for our staff as we attempt to discover peace… Iryna, we miss you greater than phrases can say. You'll endlessly be in our hearts."

Zepeddie’s talked about within the submit that its workers had stored a candle lit in Zarutska’s honor, symbolizing "the heat, kindness and light-weight she delivered to our lives day-after-day."

<source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/09/672/378/split-image-decarlos-brown-mug-shot-charlotte-train.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/09/1344/756/split-image-decarlos-brown-mug-shot-charlotte-train.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="378" width="672"><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/09/931/523/split-image-decarlos-brown-mug-shot-charlotte-train.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/09/1862/1046/split-image-decarlos-brown-mug-shot-charlotte-train.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"> L-R: A mugshot of Decarlos Brown; surveillance video displaying Brown on the sunshine rail practice. (Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Workplace; CATS)

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Brown has been charged with first-degree murder , in response to the Mecklenburg County arrest warrant. Police mentioned Brown and Zarutska didn't know one another and that the assault was random.

Information obtained by Fox Information Digital present Brown has a prolonged historical past of arrests, going again over a decade. His document consists of convictions for larceny and breaking-and-entering in 2013 and a 2015 conviction for theft with a harmful weapon.

He served in jail till 2020 and was on parole till 2021. Subsequent expenses in opposition to him included speaking threats and misuse of the 911 system earlier this 12 months.