by Sharon Rondeau
(Sep. 9, 2025) — At 3:38 p.m. EDT Tuesday, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Russ Ferguson launched a press conference on the death of Iryna Zarutska, a former Ukrainian refugee stabbed to death on a public commuter train in Charlotte, NC on August 22 at approximately 10:00 p.m. EDT.
He had just spoken with Iryna’s mother and uncle, Ferguson said, visibly moved.
Ferguson was raised in the area, he said.
Suspect DeCarlos Brown, 34, is being held on a state charge of first-degree murder which will be “supplemented,” Ferguson said, with “federal charges.”
Ferguson thanked the FBI and other officials for investigating the case from the outset. The surveillance video from the train galvanized the federal investigation, Ferguson said.
Brown stabbed Iryna three times and exited the train with “blood dripping from the knife,” Ferguson said, overcome with emotion. “No one should sit in fear on the light rail,” he said, clearly fighting back tears.
“We will bring justice here,” Ferguson concluded his remarks.
FBI Special Agent in Charge James Barnacle then spoke, stating Director Kash Patel has directed the agency to “shift” resources to combating violent crime in America’s cities.
“The system has failed us in this case; there is no doubt,” Barnacle said. “…We should live in a city…where accountability is always paramount.”
At 3:48 p.m., Ferguson returned to the podium to reveal that the Ukrainian embassy called the family to say it would see that Irina’s body was “returned home,” but the family chose to have her remain in the United States because she “loved America.”
“Let’s give her an America we can all be proud of,” Ferguson said, again visibly moved.
In response to a reporter’s question, he explained the federal charge stems from the fact that the murder was committed on a public commuter train. “…We may have more charges later,” he said.
“We’re looking into every available charge in this case,” he said later to another reporter’s question.