BURSTThe family of Iryna Zarutska, the Ukrainian woman killed last month on the light-rail in Charlotte, N.C., is now pressing the city's leaders for public safety reform following her violent death.
“This could have been anyone riding the light rail that night,” the family told NewsNation, The Hill’s sister network, in a statement. “We are committed to making sure this never happens again."
Images and video of Zarustka being fatally stabbed have spread across social media and national headlines in recent days. Family members are asking the public to refrain from sharing graphic videos and focus instead on ensuring public transit in the Queen City is free of crime.
The family said it is requesting a full investigation into the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) and suggested the city’s transportation leaders work on improving the presence of security within the commuter rail system.
They said there’s been a “failure of oversight” in the contract between CATS and Professional Security Services and if the light-rail had ensured adequate safety measures were in place, Zarutska's death could have been prevented.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles (D) said Monday that CATS will roll out new safety operations, including bike units and urban terrain vehicles, in the next two to three weeks. She noted that over the past two years, the city has doubled the number of security personnel in the rail system and tripled the safety and security budget from $5.8 million to nearly $18 million.
“Over the past several weeks as our community has worked to understand this, what we know is that this was a tragic failure by the courts and magistrates,” Lyles wrote in a statement on the social platform X. “Our police officers arrest people only to have them quickly released, which undermines our ability to protect our community and ensure safety.”
Llyes added that bipartisan support for public safety will be crucial to address repeat offenders such as the suspect in Zarutska's killing, DeCarlos Brown Jr. He was previously arrested 14 times and diagnosed with schizophrenia, according to documents.
GOP leaders in Washington have drawn attention to the stabbing and used it as reason to support President Trump’s national crackdown on crime.
“It’s infuriating. It’s heartbreaking. It’s heartbreaking. It gives you a feeling in the pit of your stomach,” Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said at a press conference.
“This individual, Decarlos Brown is his name, was arrested at least 14 times,” Johnson added. “We don’t have to live like this. President Trump is proving that every single day in our nation’s capital.”
Trump has also weighed in, saying Wednesday that Brown should receive a quick trial and be subject to the death penalty. His comments come a day after the Justice Department announced it is filing federal charges against Brown.