The murder of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a train in North Carolina last month has sparked continued attention to crime in the United States.
A video announced by the Charlotte Regional Transportation System on Friday showed Ms. Zarutzka sitting on a train when she was stabbed several times in a seemingly random attack.
The suspect, Decarlos Brown JR, 34, was charged with first-degree murder. The graphic video has been circulating on social media since its release, attracting the attention of influencers, commentators and politicians.
President Donald Trump sent “Love and Hope” to Ms. Zarutska’s family, saying on Monday that her killing was “terrible”.
“There are evil people. We have to be able to deal with it. If we don’t deal with that, we don’t have a country.” The anger in the case was due to the criminal crackdown of Trump’s threatening Democratic-run cities, including Chicago.
Ms. Zarutska’s family wrote in an online prosecut that she fled the Ukrainian war with her mother and siblings in 2022 and “quickly embraced her new life in the United States.”
It says she is a “talented and passionate artist”, loves animals, and is “happiest when surrounded by family and loved ones.”
“Her absence left a deep gap, but her spirit will always remain in the hearts of those who love her.”
Charlotte Mayor VI said on Saturday that her death was a “meaningless tragic loss”, adding that she had been trying to think about the safety of our city.
“I remain committed to doing everything I can to protect residents and make sure Charlotte is where everyone feels safe,” the mayor, Democratic mayor said in a statement on X.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein said he was “shocked” by Ms. Zarutzka’s killing video.
“We need more police to keep people safe,” the Democratic governor said on X, and called on the state legislature to pass law enforcement programs to “resolve vacancies in our state and local agencies so that they can stop these horrible crimes and hold violent criminals accountable.”
Republicans and right-wing commentators have raised questions about the role of the judicial system in the incident, including why Brown is free, despite a wide-ranging criminal record.
He was convicted for armed robbery, felony theft, broke in and entered, and was sentenced to eight years for robbery for use of dangerous weapons, according to records obtained by CNN. According to media reports, he also suffered from mental health problems and was homeless.
The suspect’s mother did not want to be identified, and she told local news outlet WSOC-TV that she thought the attack could have been avoided.
“Ms. Zarutzka’s death is the result of decades of Democrat Das and the Sheriff put their awakening agenda above public safety,” Republican North Carolina Representative Brenden Jones wrote on X. Violent criminals commit crimes that are not punished in fear, while families live in fear”.
Republican Florida Rep. Randy Fine said he would “prepare legislation to keep judges accountable when freeing violent offenders of new crimes.”
He added: “The more than 12 judges who released Decarlos Brown JR should also spend the day in court.”
Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather declined to comment on the specifics of the case, outlining the challenge of putting the defendant in a mental health issue and being responsible for his actions.
In an interview Axios held many people in the hospital, he said The court waited for them to be able to stand trial in a mental manner.
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