Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., Committing an Act Causing Death, North Carolina 2025

Fatal Attack on Charlotte Light Rail Leaves One Dead, Suspect Charged

A federal complaint was filed in U.S. District Court in Charlotte, North Carolina, charging 34-year-old Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr. with committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system in connection with the fatal attack of Iryna Zarutska on the city's light rail system.

According to allegations in the affidavit filed with the criminal complaint, the attack occurred on August 22, 2025, at approximately 9:55 p.m. on the Lynx Blue Line light rail in Charlotte. Responding officers located the victim inside the rail car with fatal stab wounds. A pocketknife and other items were collected from the scene.

Investigations reviewed surveillance footage that showed the victim entering the light rail car and sitting down in the row in front of Brown. Approximately four minutes later, Brown pulled a knife from his pocket and unfolded it before striking the victim three times from behind. Following the attack, Brown walked away from the victim. Responding officers located Brown on the light rail platform and he was arrested.

If convicted, Brown faces a maximum statutory sentence of life in prison or death. Ultimately, his sentence will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI is investigating the case with the assistance of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Odulio of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.

Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr. is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-charges-light-rail-attacker-federal-crime