Suspect in Charlotte train stabbing indicted on federal charges, death penalty possible

The man charged in the fatal stabbing of a young Ukrainian woman on the Charlotte light rail system was indicted Wednesday on federal charges that could get him the death penalty.

A federal grand jury in North Carolina returned the indictment against Decarlos Brown Jr., charging him with violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death. This charge makes him eligible for the death penalty.

Brown was allegedly caught on video stabbing the woman, identified as 23-year-old Iryna Zaruska, on Aug. 22 on the Lynx Blue Line light rail in Charlotte.

A pocketknife and other items were collected from the scene.

Investigators 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 allegedly pulled a knife from his pocket and unfolded it before striking the victim three times from behind, prosecutors said.

Prior to the stabbing, there appeared to be “no interaction between the victim and defendant,” according to an arrest affidavit obtained by ABC News.

Following the attack, Brown allegedly walked away from the victim. Zarutska was pronounced dead at the scene and a witness directed officials to the location of the suspect, the affidavit said.

Responding officers located Brown on the light rail platform and he was arrested.

The 34-year-old suspect has a past criminal record, including larceny and breaking and entering charges. He also spent five years in prison for robbery with a dangerous weapon starting in 2015, according to the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

According to Zarutska’s obituary, she was born in Ukraine and emigrated to the U.S. with her mother, sister and brother to “escape the war, and she quickly embraced her new life in the United States.”

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.