Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police have released harrowing 911 audio from the deadly light rail stabbing that claimed the life of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on August 22. Witnesses can be heard in the recordings crying out in panic as they tried to describe the bloody scene to emergency dispatchers.
Frantic Calls After the Attack
In one of the five 911 calls obtained by Fox News Digital, a shaken witness told operators, “This man f—— stabbed her for no reason,” while muffled sobs echoed in the background. Another caller said, “This lady just got stabbed. … There’s a lady on the ground. She’s bleeding a lot. I don’t think she’s responsive.”
A female caller described chaos on the train: “Everyone is screaming. People are freaking out. … I think she’s dead. She was stabbed in the carotid. There’s a lot of blood. There is no pulse.” A panicked man added, “A girl got stabbed on the train. I think she might be dead.”
Suspect Arrested at the Scene
According to a police affidavit, officers responded to the Lynx Blue Line near 1821 Camden Road and found 34-year-old Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr. on the platform, wearing clothing that matched witness descriptions. Brown had a cut on his hand and was taken into custody after medical treatment. A folding knife was recovered at the scene (Reuters).
Brown was charged with first-degree murder by local authorities. Federal prosecutors also charged him with one count of committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system (Department of Justice).
Federal Authorities Condemn the Attack
James C. Barnacle Jr., the FBI Charlotte special agent in charge, called the murder a horrific act. “Iryna Zarutska had likely taken that train ride many times before. She was probably tired after a day at work and just wanted to go home, but tragically she never made it,” Barnacle said. “We hope this federal charge will help bring her family a measure of justice.”
Community Shock and Safety Concerns
The brutal nature of the stabbing has raised public concerns about safety on Charlotte’s public transit system. Officials said the case underscores the importance of security on mass transportation and ensuring that everyday commuters are protected from acts of violence.
Zarutska’s death has left friends and family devastated. For many Charlotte residents, the release of the 911 audio paints a haunting picture of a young woman’s final moments and the terror felt by passengers who witnessed the attack.