Iryna Zarutska’s family sues City of Charlotte and private security firm

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The family of Iryna Zarutska is demanding accountability after she was killed on a CATS light rail train. Saturday marks one year since she was stabbed to death on the train.

On Friday, her family filed a sweeping wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Charlotte and its security contractor.

Her family’s attorney tells us they are broken by the loss of their vibrant daughter in what they call a preventable attack. The lawsuit spotlights recent State Auditor findings showing the transit system spent less than a quarter of its $5 million safety and security equipment budget.

The Zarutska family attorney Lauren Newton says, “I think the report makes it clear that the City failed Iryna Zarutska, as it lays out. And so did the private security firm.”

The lawsuit is going after unspecified wrongful death and punitive damages. The City of Charlotte tells us they will not comment on active litigation. The security agency hasn’t responded to our request for comment.