Overview
- Iryna Zarutska, 23, was found with multiple stab wounds late Friday at the East/West Boulevard station in South End and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
- CMPD identified 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr. as the suspect; he remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and is charged with first-degree murder pending booking upon release.
- Investigators have not released a motive and have not confirmed whether the attack occurred on the train, the platform, or nearby.
- Court records show Brown has a lengthy arrest history and was the subject of a January welfare check where he made delusional claims, and he is listed as homeless in recent filings.
- Zarutska’s family launched a GoFundMe that has drawn local donations, and Charlotte City Council members have publicly called for immediate steps to restore rider confidence on the transit system.