On August 22, 2025, the life of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, was tragically ended on a Charlotte light rail train. Her dreams of a brighter future in America—a loving family, a compassionate career as a veterinary assistant, and a life free from the shadows of war—were stolen in a senseless act of violence. Iryna’s story is one of resilience, kindness, and unyielding hope, a testament to the human spirit’s ability to rise above adversity. This article, spanning 2200–2300 words, delves into her life, her aspirations, and the profound loss felt by those she touched, aiming to evoke the deep emotion her story inspires.

A Childhood in Kyiv

Iryna Zarutska was born on May 22, 2002, in Kyiv, Ukraine, into a close-knit family that cherished togetherness. The eldest of three siblings, she grew up alongside her sister Valeriia and brother Bohdan, under the care of their parents, Anna and Stanislav Zarutskyi. Iryna’s childhood was filled with simple joys—playing in the parks of Kyiv, sketching vibrant drawings, and nurturing a love for animals that would shape her dreams. Her uncle, who later spoke of her life, described her as a “bright light” even as a young girl, always eager to help others, whether by comforting a friend or caring for a stray cat.

Iryna’s creativity flourished early. She loved art, excelling in painting, sculpting, and fashion design. Her murals adorned family walls, and she crafted unique clothing, blending traditional Ukrainian patterns with modern flair. At Synergy College in Kyiv, she earned a degree in Art and Restoration, dreaming of a career where her creativity could inspire others. Yet, her compassion extended beyond art. She spent hours with neighborhood pets, feeding strays and walking dogs, her gentle demeanor earning their trust. “She had a way with animals,” her mother Anna recalled. “She’d say they understood her better than people sometimes.”

But in February 2022, Iryna’s world changed forever. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine turned Kyiv into a warzone. The Zarutska family endured weeks in a bomb shelter, huddled together as explosions shook the city. Iryna, barely 20, remained a pillar of strength, comforting her younger siblings and keeping their spirits high with stories and sketches. When the opportunity arose to flee, Iryna, her mother, and siblings left for Poland, leaving Stanislav behind due to martial law restrictions. The separation was heart-wrenching, but Iryna held onto hope, promising her father they would reunite in a safer world.

A New Beginning in America

In August 2022, Iryna and her family arrived in North Carolina, welcomed by her uncle and aunt in Charlotte. The transition was daunting—new language, new culture, new challenges—but Iryna embraced it with determination. She enrolled in English classes at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, mastering the language with remarkable speed. By 2023, she was fluent enough to engage in deep conversations, her slight accent charming those around her. “She was so proud of every new word she learned,” her sister Valeriia said. “She’d practice with us at night, laughing at her own mistakes.”

Iryna’s first job in America was at an assisted living facility in Huntersville, where she cared for elderly residents. Her warmth and patience made her a favorite; she listened to their stories, helped with daily tasks, and brought smiles with small gestures, like painting their nails or sharing her artwork. “She treated them like family,” a coworker recalled. “One resident called her ‘my Ukrainian angel.’” In 2024, she joined Zepeddie’s Pizzeria in Charlotte, starting as a cashier and quickly advancing to line cook. Her work ethic was unmatched, and her cheerful presence lit up the restaurant. Colleagues remembered her bringing homemade Ukrainian pastries to share, a taste of home that bridged cultures.

In May 2025, Iryna moved in with her boyfriend, Stas Nikulytsia, a fellow Ukrainian immigrant she met through the local community. Their relationship was a source of joy, built on shared dreams and mutual support. Stas described Iryna as his “rock,” always encouraging him to pursue his goals. They spent evenings planning their future—talks of marriage, children, and a home filled with love. “She wanted a big family,” Stas said, his voice breaking. “She’d joke about having a house full of kids and pets, with her paintings on every wall.”

Dreams of a Humane Career

Iryna’s greatest aspiration was to become a veterinary assistant, a career that embodied her compassion for animals. Growing up, she had rescued countless strays in Kyiv, nursing injured birds and feeding homeless dogs. In Charlotte, she continued this passion, often stopping to pet dogs during walks or volunteering to care for neighbors’ pets. “She’d say animals don’t judge you—they just love you back,” her brother Bohdan recalled. Iryna enrolled in a veterinary assistant program at her college, studying anatomy and animal care with enthusiasm. She dreamed of working in a clinic, helping animals recover and find homes, a role she saw as deeply humane.

Her professors noted her dedication. “Iryna wasn’t just a student; she was a caregiver,” one instructor said. “She’d stay late to ask questions about how to soothe a scared animal or treat a wound.” Iryna’s vision extended beyond her own career—she wanted to advocate for animal welfare, inspired by the strays she’d seen suffer in Ukraine. She spoke of starting a small shelter one day, a place where no animal would feel abandoned. “She believed every creature deserved a chance,” her mother said, tears in her eyes. “It was her way of healing the world.”

Iryna’s pursuit of this dream was practical as well as passionate. She saved diligently from her pizzeria wages, hoping to buy a car to make commuting to a future veterinary job easier. She was learning to drive, practicing with Stas in parking lots, her laughter filling the air when she stalled the engine. “One day, I’ll drive to work with a dog in the backseat,” she’d tell him, her eyes sparkling with hope.

A Family-Oriented Future

Family was the cornerstone of Iryna’s dreams. Having grown up in a tight-knit household, she longed to create her own. She and Stas often discussed their plans—a wedding with Ukrainian traditions, children who would grow up bilingual, and a home where her parents and siblings could visit. “She missed Papa so much,” Valeriia said, referring to their father still in Ukraine. “She wanted to bring him here, to show him she’d made it.” Iryna kept in touch with her father via FaceTime, sharing stories of her life in America and promising a reunion.

Her love extended to her extended family and community. She was the “glue” of the Zarutska clan, organizing gatherings, cooking traditional dishes like borscht, and gifting her artwork to relatives. Her uncle described her as “the one who kept us together,” always checking in on everyone’s well-being. Iryna’s kindness touched strangers too—she’d help neighbors with groceries, chat with elderly residents at work, or offer a smile to a passerby. “She made you feel seen,” a friend said. “Like you mattered.”

Iryna’s vision of family included her future children. She’d tell Stas she wanted to teach them to love art and animals, to be kind and resilient like she was. “She’d say, ‘I want my kids to know where I came from, but to feel safe here,’” Stas recalled. Her experiences in Ukraine—surviving war, loss, and displacement—shaped her desire to give her future family the stability she’d fought for.

The Tragic End

On the evening of August 22, 2025, Iryna finished her shift at Zepeddie’s Pizzeria and boarded the Lynx Blue Line train at Scaleybark station around 9:46 p.m. Wearing her work uniform and AirPods, she sat in a nearly empty car, texting Stas about coming home. It was a routine ride, one she’d taken countless times. But behind her sat Decarlos Brown Jr., a man with a history of mental illness and criminal activity. Without warning, he pulled a pocketknife and stabbed Iryna three times, including in the neck. The attack was swift and unprovoked, leaving her bleeding and struggling to breathe.

Passengers, including a witness named Alex, rushed to her side. “She was gasping, her eyes full of fear,” Alex recounted. “She whispered, ‘I can’t breathe, what happened, I don’t know who he is,’ before slipping away.” Despite attempts to stop the bleeding, the train’s delay in stopping and the lack of medical supplies or trained staff meant help arrived too late. Iryna was pronounced dead at the scene, her dreams extinguished in moments. Brown was arrested on the platform, later charged with murder.

The news devastated her family. Stas, alerted by her phone’s static location, rushed to the station, only to learn she was gone. Her mother and siblings were inconsolable, grappling with the loss of their anchor. Her father, watching her funeral via FaceTime from Ukraine, wept for the daughter he’d never hold again. The family chose to keep her remains in America, a symbol of her commitment to her new life.

A Community’s Grief

Charlotte mourned Iryna deeply. A vigil near Scaleybark station drew hundreds, including coworkers, classmates, and strangers moved by her story. Over 100 residents from the assisted living facility attended her funeral, sharing stories of her kindness. Her pizzeria colleagues set up a memorial table with her favorite flowers—sunflowers, a nod to Ukraine’s national flower. A GoFundMe campaign launched by her family highlighted her journey from war survivor to dreamer, raising funds to honor her memory.

Iryna’s story resonated beyond Charlotte. Ukrainian communities across the U.S. held candlelight vigils, celebrating her as a symbol of resilience. Her uncle’s words captured the collective grief: “She came here for safety, for a better life. How could this happen?” The tragedy sparked calls for change, with advocates demanding better transit security, emergency training, and mental health reforms to prevent such losses.

A Legacy of Hope

Iryna Zarutska’s life, though brief, was a beacon of hope. She survived war, rebuilt her life, and dreamed of a future filled with love, family, and compassion. Her aspiration to become a veterinary assistant reflected her belief in healing—animals, people, communities. Her art, her kindness, and her dreams left an indelible mark on those who knew her.

Her death exposed vulnerabilities in public safety, but it also galvanized a movement for change. Recommendations include equipping trains with trauma kits, training staff in first aid, and enhancing security to protect commuters. Iryna’s story reminds us that every life is precious, every dream worth fighting for. Her uncle’s plea echoes: “Let her life mean something. Make the world safer for others like her.”

As we remember Iryna, we envision the life she might have led—a home filled with laughter, children learning her songs, animals healed by her gentle hands, and paintings brightening the world. Her final whisper, “I can’t breathe, what happened,” is a call to action, urging us to honor her by building a world where hope triumphs over tragedy. Iryna Zarutska’s light may have been extinguished, but her dreams endure, inspiring us to create a future worthy of her spirit.