CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WJZY) – The family of Iryna Zarutska, the woman who was murdered on a North Carolina commuter train last month, is calling for justice and public safety reform, and for the public to stop sharing surveillance video of the killing. 

Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, was stabbed to death while riding the light rail, just minutes from her home. The suspect, Decarlos Brown Jr., was charged with first-degree murder, and on Tuesday, the federal charge of causing a death on a mass transportation system. 

Zarutska’s family is being represented by the Charlotte law firm Tin Fulton Walker & Owen. The statement comes a day after a wave of national attention and criticism of Charlotte officials, more than two weeks after the crime occurred.

They said she had built a new life in Charlotte after moving here three years ago. She was working full-time at a local pizzeria — she was wearing a shirt for it at the time of her death — while attending community college to improve her English.  

“That night, she texted her boyfriend that she would be home soon,” they said. “Her loved ones became alarmed when she did not arrive at her apartment at the anticipated time, and her phone’s location alerted them that she was still at the station. Upon arriving at the station, they were devastated to learn that Iryna had died at the scene.” 

The train’s surveillance footage was released to the public on Friday. The family is urging the public and media to “respect Iryna’s dignity and their grief” by not sharing the footage of her killing. 

“We are heartbroken beyond words,” said a family spokesperson. “Iryna came here to find peace and safety, and instead her life was stolen from her in the most horrific way. No family should have to go through this.” 

Seeking change 

The family’s immediate priority is to ensure the man responsible for Zarutska’s murder is brought to justice and remains behind bars. However, they are also calling attention to public safety, sharing concerns over a perceived lack of:

• Security presence on the CATS Blue Line
• Oversight in the contract between CATS and Professional Security Services (PSS), and
• Further safety measures

The family is demanding a full investigation into the circumstances leading up to Zarutska’s death, alleging lapses in security protocols and failures within the public transportation system. 

“This could have been anyone riding the light rail that night,” said the family. “We are committed to making sure this never happens again.” 

On Monday, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles announced immediate changes to security on CATS properties, including adding Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers.

“These changes will allow CATS to fully execute the transit system policing plan, including the Blue Line,” she said. 

Brown is being held in the Mecklenburg County jail without bond. President Donald Trump has called for him to face the death penalty.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said the killing was “a direct result of failed soft-on-crime policies that put criminals before innocent people.”

“We will seek the maximum penalty for this unforgivable act of violence — he will never again see the light of day as a free man,” Bondi said in a statement.

The death penalty is a potential punishment for people convicted of first-degree murder in North Carolina. However, the state has not carried out an execution since 2006. Legal challenges over the use of lethal injection drugs and a doctor’s presence at executions have in part delayed action.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.