Federal crime charge for suspect in fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee
Share and Follow


WASHINGTON () The Justice Department announced a federal crime charge against the suspect in the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee.

The charges come after the FBI was announced as one of several federal agencies investigating Zarutska’s death on a North Carolina transit system last month, Director Kash Patel confirmed this week.

Patel wrote on X Monday that the bureau had been involved “from day one,” urging the public to “stay tuned.”

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also announced his department would be investigating the case, vowing that “ZERO tax dollars go to soft-on-crime transit systems that allow horrific tragedies like what happened in Charlotte.”

Murders on public transit like that of Iryna Zarutska should never be allowed to happen again,” he added.

House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed that sentiment, calling the attack evidence of failed policies. “Republicans are in charge, and those days are over—the days of allowing soft-on-crime policies. We’re not going to do it,” he said Tuesday.

Zarutska, who came to the United States following the Russian invasion of her country, was attacked on her way home from work close to 10 p.m. on Aug. 22, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Surveillance video released by Charlotte Area Transit shows the woman boarding a light rail Lynx car and sitting down in front of a man, identified as 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr. After nearly five minutes, the video shows Brown pulling out a folding knife and attacking her.

Police said he stabbed Zarutska three times, including a fatal blow to the neck, before walking the length of the train and exiting. Transit police arrived within minutes, but she was pronounced dead.

Brown, who police say is homeless and has a criminal record, was arrested and charged with murder.

During a press briefing Tuesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump is looking at taking away federal funds from states and cities that have cashless bail systems in place.

“Decarlos Brown never should have been on that train that night; in fact, he should have been behind bars,” Leavitt said. “This is madness.”

Trump has also weighed in on the killing, writing on Truth Social that he had seen the “horrific video” of Zarutska’s killing, calling it the ambush of “a beautiful, young Ukrainian refugee” by “a mentally deranged lunatic.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
All the songs about fiancé Travis Kelce

Every Song Inspired by Fiancé Travis Kelce

“The Life of a Showgirl” is officially here! Taylor Swift’s 12th studio…
Man confronts mom over screaming baby in restaurant

Patron Addresses Noise Concerns with Mother of Crying Baby in Restaurant

A mother fiercely defended her eight-month-old after a man asked her to…
Dave Portnoy slams Taylor Swift for song about Travis Kelce's manhood

Dave Portnoy Criticizes Taylor Swift’s Song Referencing Travis Kelce

Barstool boss Dave Portnoy has ripped into Taylor Swift over a track on…
Over a dozen arrested at anti-ICE protests in Chicago suburb

Over a dozen arrested at anti-ICE protests in Chicago suburb

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! More than a dozen…
Chinatown celebration of 'Hungry Ghosts' seeks to scare away taboos about death

Chinatown’s ‘Hungry Ghosts’ Festival Aims to Demystify Death Taboos

CHINATOWN, Manhattan — Growing up in Vietnamese Chinese communities in Virginia and…
Former Iowa superintendent charged with federal firearms offense after immigration arrest

Ex-Iowa Superintendent Faces Federal Gun Charges Following Immigration-Related Arrest

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district,…
Small beach town's misery as ocean swallows 7th home in two days

Coastal Community Devastated as Ocean Claims 7th House in Just 48 Hours

Another home collapsed into the Atlantic on Wednesday night. It brings the…
ICE Chicago actions 'not striking the proper balance': Former Illinois GOP chair

Former Illinois GOP Leader Criticizes ICE Chicago for ‘Imbalanced Actions’

() Federal agents are facing growing scrutiny over their interactions with protesters…