Ukrainian refugee killed in Charlotte light-rail stabbing; man charged

A Ukrainian refugee who recently fled war to start a new life in the United States was stabbed to death at a Charlotte light-rail station on Friday night, authorities said. Iryna Zarutska, 23, was found fatally wounded at the EastWest Boulevard station in the city’s South End district and died at the scene. A 34-year-old man, Decarlos Brown, was arrested shortly afterward and charged with first-degree murder; he was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and remains in custody as the investigation continues. Police have not released details about what led to the confrontation.

Officials described Zarutska as someone who had come to the United States seeking safety and a fresh start after enduring the war in Ukraine. A GoFundMe page established by her family says Zarutska was hopeful for a new beginning and calls her death an irreparable loss for her relatives. Photos from the scene showed a train halted at the station with yellow tape surrounding the platform, underscoring the sudden disruption to a busy transit corridor.

Brown, who police say is homeless, has a lengthy and fluctuating criminal history dating back to 2011, including charges such as felony larceny,...