Iryna Zarutska was returning home after a shift at Zepeddie’s pizzeria in south Charlotte. A surveillance camera captured her in her work uniform—long pants, a black T-shirt, and a cap with the company logo. She was scrolling through her phone when repeat offender Decarlos Brown Jr. attacked her in the train carriage. The recording cuts off at the moment of the assault and then shows him walking through the car with a bloodstained knife.
Her relatives remember Iryna as "a gifted and passionate artist" with "a lively personality" and "a deep love for animals." In Kyiv, she graduated from Synergy College with a degree in art and restoration, pursued sculpture and the creation of eclectic clothing, and generously shared her work. She loved adventures, walks, and discovering new places, but at heart remained a homebody, happiest when surrounded by family.
In 2022, Iryna left Ukraine with her mother, sister, and brother to escape the war. On their GoFundMe page, the family wrote that she had gone "in search of safety" but found death instead. For her loved ones it is a deeply personal tragedy, though the killing of a young refugee also resonated publicly in a city governed by Democrats.
The Murder of Iryna Zarutska
African American Killed Ukrainian Refugee in Charlotte
Major U.S. Media—AP, CNN, The New York Times and Others—Did Not Report It
Police Released Full Footage of Iryna Zarutska’s Killing in the U.S., With the Killer Facing Life Imprisonment or the Death Penalty
Ukraine’s Embassy and Major Ukrainian Media Have Not Mentioned the Incident Even Once
The Death of a Ukrainian Refugee in Charlotte Did Not Enter the Agenda of Major Liberal Media
The Story Is Being Ignored Because It Does Not Fit the Usual Narrative: the Victim Was a White Woman and the Perpetrator a Black Repeat Offender
Ukraine Denied Irina Zarutska’s Father Permission to Travel to the US for Her Funeral
Her Relatives Publicly Criticize the Court’s Decision to Release the Repeat Offender and Point to the Inaction of Train Passengers During the Attack
Who Is Decarlos Brown Jr. and Why Was He Free After 14 Arrests
Her mother fondly recalled her "remarkable ability to sleep for long hours," calling it "an artist’s gift." Iryna dreamed of becoming a veterinary assistant, often cared for neighbors’ pets, and walked them around the neighborhood—always with a smile. In the United States, she quickly learned English, worked at a pizzeria, learned to drive, and strove for independence. At the restaurant she was remembered not only as a valued employee but also as a true friend: "Our dear Iryna left us far too soon, and our hearts are full of sorrow." A candle still burns there in her memory—"a small reminder of the warmth, kindness, and light she brought every day."
Even casual acquaintances spoke about her character. A taxi driver recalled giving her a ride home after a shift several months ago: "We had a pleasant conversation. She was kind and seemed full of optimism." Social media preserved snapshots—dancing with a friend in a Kyiv neighborhood, posing in clothing stores, or photographing Charlotte’s skyscrapers. Her last post appeared nine days before her death, likely taken from the window of the same train.
"Her absence has left a deep void, but her spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved her," her relatives wrote in the obituary. Her life has now ended at the age of 23. Decarlos Brown Jr. has been charged with first-degree murder, and the court has denied him release on bail.
The shocking video of the attack sparked outrage across the country. Yet in the largest liberal U.S. media outlets—The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, CNN—the story never appeared. On social media, criticism of this silence mounted, with users claiming it was driven by racial motives. Elon Musk reposted statistics with the comment: "Zero." Thus her death, a personal tragedy for family and friends, also became a political issue—an inconvenient story for liberal politicians and media alike, both in the United States and in Ukraine.