Arrest made after deadly stabbing on light rail train

UPDATE: 8/25/25

WCCB Charlotte has learned Zarutska was a Ukranian refugee seeking safety from the war, that’s according to a GoFundMe

Police have made an arrest after a deadly stabbing inside of a light rail train in South End on Friday night.

This happened just before 10 p.m. along the LYNX Blue Line near East Boulevard and Camden Road. Police say 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr. stabbed 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska to death inside of the train.

Zarutska died at the scene.

Brown was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and will be charged with murder. A third person was taken to the hospital after suffering a non-related medical event.

Police are still working to learn what led up to that stabbing. Police said they are reviewing security footage from on board that light rail train.