She fled war hoping for a safer life in the US.

Warning: This article contains content some readers may find distressing.

Newly released surveillance footage has revealed the final moments before 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee **Iryna Zarutska** was fatally stabbed in what authorities described as a random attack on a Charlotte, North Carolina train. Zarutska, who fled the war in Ukraine with her family, tragically lost her life on August 22.

The video, shared by the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), shows the suspect, **Decarlos Brown Jr.**, sitting quietly by the window in a red hoodie, his hood pulled tightly over his head. He appeared calm, occasionally leaning on his hand as the train traveled. At the next stop, Zarutska boarded the Blue Line train, wearing headphones and taking a seat in front of Brown. The two did not interact.

Moments later, Brown appeared to remove something from his pocket before carrying out the attack. Passengers rushed to help Zarutska, but her injuries proved fatal. Brown walked away, discarded his hoodie, and was arrested by police shortly afterward at the following station.

Authorities later confirmed that Brown has a criminal history and mental health concerns. He was transported to Atrium Health for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries sustained during the incident. On August 23, police charged him with **First Degree Murder**, and a judge has since denied him bond, ordering a mental competency evaluation.

Zarutska has been remembered by loved ones as a gifted artist and animal lover whose promising life was cut short far too soon. The tragedy has sparked grief across Charlotte’s Ukrainian community and beyond.

Charlotte Mayor **Vi Lyles** addressed the heartbreaking event, thanking those who refrained from reposting the graphic video. “This was a senseless and tragic loss,” she said. “My prayers remain with her loved ones as they continue to grieve through an unimaginable time.”

Former President Donald Trump also commented on the incident on September 7, describing it as “horrible.”

As the investigation continues, officials urge residents to reflect on safety across the city. For many, the loss of Iryna Zarutska is not only a reminder of life’s fragility but also a call to ensure such tragedies are never repeated.