Twice deported Honduran man allegedly starts fight, stabs a man on Charlotte light rail train

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Mecklenburg County judge has ordered Oscar Solarzano to be held in jail on no bond. Solarzano is accused of harassing passengers before stabbing a man on the light rail train Friday evening. He’s facing a slew of charges. including attempted first degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

Police say 33-year-old Solarzano was drunk when he started yelling at passengers on the train near NODA Friday evening. Court records show Kenyon Dobie tried to defend himself and other riders when Solarzano stabbed him in the chest with a large knife.

“My job actually sent me a care package to my house. Everybody has been calling me a hero. I know all the doctors, they keep coming and shaking my hand and saying that it’s an honor for them to be helping me recover, and all my friends and my family said that it kind of like scared them, but they’re proud that I survived it,” Kenyon Dobie, stabbing victim said.

The Department of Homeland Security says Solarzano has been deported from the US twice. His criminal record includes robbery, battery and more.

He is currently in jail with no bond, but if he is released, ICE is asking Sheriff McFadden to hold him for at least 48 hours to give federal authorities time to pick him up. The Sheriff says the Feds should do more to make sure he stays behind bars.

“What I would like to see them do is actually file criminal charges for re-entering after deportation,” Sheriff McFadden said. “We cooperate with DHS. We cooperate with any federal law enforcement agency if they want to cooperate with us.”

This latest light rail stabbing comes 105 days after Iryna Zarutska was killed on the same train. City leaders increased security with a focus on fare enforcement, but now people are asking if it’s enough.

“I really want you to know we’re really working hard on it,” Mayor Vi Lyles said. “While some of these public safety matters fall outside of what we do, we all know that it matters for everyone that lives in our city.”

The Mayor has asked CATS to give council an update on the transit security plan this week. Solarzano’s next hearing is scheduled for December 30th. The victim Kenyon Dobie has set up a GoFundMe to help with his medical expenses during recovery.

Dobie is an employee at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. In a statement, the brewery’s chief operating officer said, “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the incident that occurred last Friday. We are relieved to know that Kenyon is in stable condition and on the path to recovery. Kenyon is a highly valued member of the OMB culinary team, and our thoughts are with him and his family during this difficult time. We look forward to welcoming him back when he is ready.”