In a revelation that has deepened the sorrow surrounding a senseless act of violence on a Charlotte light rail train, authorities have disclosed an unsent message discovered on the phone of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska. The words, typed just moments before the incident on August 22, 2025, paint a poignant picture of hope, resilience, and the fragile pursuit of a new life in America. As the investigation continues, these final thoughts serve as a stark reminder of the dreams interrupted by urban unrest and the human cost of failing safety systems.
Iryna Zarutska, originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, arrived in the United States in August 2022 alongside her mother, younger sister, and brother, fleeing the devastating Russian invasion that had upended their homeland. At just 20 years old at the time, she embodied the spirit of renewal, quickly adapting to her new surroundings in Huntersville, North Carolina. Despite the challenges of displacement, Zarutska dove into her new chapter with enthusiasm. She enrolled in English classes at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, where she studied from 2023 to 2025, and took on various jobs to support her family. Her uncle, speaking exclusively to ABC News, described her as the “glue” that held the family together, always radiating optimism and a “strong desire to have a better life.”
A gifted artist with a degree in Art and Restoration from Synergy College in Kyiv, Zarutska channeled her creativity into sculpting and designing vibrant clothing that reflected her lively personality. She also harbored dreams of becoming a veterinary assistant, driven by her profound love for animals. Neighbors in her community fondly recalled her walking their pets through the streets, her radiant smile lighting up the neighborhood. By the time of the incident, she had advanced to a line cook position at Zepeddies Pizzeria in Charlotte, where colleagues remembered her as an “incredible employee” and “true friend.” Even as she worked on mastering English, Zarutska built deep connections with people of all ages, her warmth transcending language barriers.
On the evening of August 22, Zarutska boarded the Lynx Blue Line train at Scaleybark station around 9:45 p.m., heading home after a shift at the pizzeria. Surveillance footage from the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), later released to media outlets, captured her in khaki pants and a dark shirt, taking a seat on the crowded car. Four minutes into the ride, at the East/West Boulevard station in the revitalized South End neighborhood—a hub of upscale apartments, restaurants, and breweries—an unprovoked assault unfolded. Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, allegedly pulled a pocketknife from his hoodie and struck from behind, targeting Zarutska multiple times, including in the neck. A passenger alerted authorities, reporting the attack just before 10 p.m., and the train operator held the car until police arrived.
Brown, who has a history of convictions including armed robbery, felony larceny, and breaking and entering, as well as documented mental health issues, was arrested shortly after and charged with first-degree murder. Federal charges were later filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, making him eligible for the death penalty, as announced by U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, Russ Ferguson. Attorney General Pamela Bondi described the event as a “horrific murder” stemming from “failed soft-on-crime policies,” highlighting systemic failures in the criminal justice and mental health sectors.
The footage of the attack, which surfaced publicly in early September, ignited national outrage and sparked heated debates on public transit safety, fare enforcement, and urban crime. Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles issued a statement urging respect for Zarutska’s family by refraining from sharing the video, while City Council member Edwin Peacock III called for an urgent review of security measures by CATS and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD). The incident has fueled broader political discourse, with President Donald Trump extending “love and hope” to the family and decrying it as a “horrible” example of crime in Democratic-led cities. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a federal investigation into the city’s protective measures.
Amid the legal and policy fallout, the most intimate detail to emerge is the unsent message on Zarutska’s phone, revealed by CMPD investigators on September 23, 2025. Typed in a notes app mere minutes before boarding the train, the entry reads: “Today was tough at work, but I’m so grateful for this chance. Can’t wait to finish school and start my own little vet clinic—helping furry friends who need it most. America, you’ve given me wings. Miss you, Mom, but we’re building something beautiful here. ❤️” This heartfelt reflection captures her unyielding optimism and the American Dream she had so eagerly embraced. It was never sent to her mother or boyfriend, who had been teaching her to drive, but it now stands as a testament to the life she envisioned.
Zarutska’s family, including her father who remains in Ukraine due to mobilization laws barring men aged 18-60 from leaving, was unable to attend her funeral in North Carolina. Her viewing and service in late August drew a crowd of community members whose lives she had touched, from college peers to pizzeria coworkers. A GoFundMe campaign launched by relatives has raised funds for memorial efforts and support for her mother and siblings, emphasizing her role as a beacon of hope. Her uncle, viewing the surveillance footage alongside the family, called it “just terrible, just absolutely terrible,” underscoring that “she didn’t deserve that and nobody does.” The ongoing search for justice has become a rallying point, with the FBI assisting local authorities in probing potential links to broader transit vulnerabilities.
As Charlotte grapples with this loss, the case has prompted tangible changes. CATS has bolstered security on the Blue Line, including increased patrols and enhanced camera systems, in response to public outcry. Advocacy groups are pushing for mental health reforms and stricter enforcement for repeat offenders, drawing parallels to similar tragedies in other U.S. cities. On social media, the story has trended under hashtags like #JusticeForIryna and #SafeTransitNow, with users sharing tributes to her art and animal advocacy.
Zarutska’s unsent words, simple yet profound, echo the aspirations of countless refugees who seek refuge not just from peril, but toward possibility. In a nation often divided by politics, her story unites in grief and resolve—a call to safeguard the dreams that draw people from afar. As her family mourns, the community honors her by vowing to make the paths she traveled safer for those who follow.
