President Donald Trump seized on the case, calling Brown a “lunatic” and using the killing to push for tougher sentencing policies and stronger federal intervention. On Monday, FBI Director Kash Patel wrote: “The FBI has been investigating the Charlotte train murder from day one. Stay tuned.”

Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska came to the U.S. to escape war but was stabbed to death in Charlotte on Friday, Aug. 22. (Evgeniya Rush/GoFundMe)

Zarutska fled Ukraine with her family in 2022 to escape the war before settling in Charlotte, according to her obituary. She was working at a local pizzeria, Zepeddie’s Pizza, at the time of her death and was captured on the train’s surveillance camera wearing her work uniform.

Her family described Zarutska as a passionate artist and graduate of Synergy College in Kyiv, where she earned a degree in art and restoration. She was remembered for her creativity, her love of animals, her determination and her eagerness to learn.