At just 23 years old, Iryna Zarutska had already survived more than most people face in a lifetime. Fleeing war-torn Ukraine with her mother and siblings, she arrived in North Carolina with little more than hope for a fresh start. Determined and hardworking, she juggled multiple jobs, attended English classes, and set her sights on becoming a veterinary assistant.
For two years, it seemed Iryna was steadily building her own version of the American dream. Friends and coworkers describe her as kind, resilient, and endlessly giving. She helped care for her family, saved every dollar she could, and celebrated small milestones—like saving up for her first car and preparing for her driver’s test.
But on August 22, 2025, her promising journey was cut short. After finishing a long shift at a Charlotte pizzeria, Iryna boarded a light-rail train. She was tired but hopeful—unaware that tragedy was about to strike.
According to police, she was suddenly attacked by Decarlos Brown Jr., a man with a long history of criminal charges. Surveillance footage confirmed the two had never met. Authorities arrested Brown at the next station, charging him with first-degree murder. Federal investigators are also reviewing his connection to other violent incidents on public transit.
The swift arrest, however, offered little comfort to a grieving community. More than a hundred people gathered at Iryna’s funeral, remembering her compassion, her love for animals, and her determination to build a better life. Her uncle, who helped bring the family to the U.S., said she embodied strength and kindness in everything she did.
Iryna’s death has sparked a deeper conversation in Charlotte about safety and the struggles refugees face while rebuilding their lives. Though her time was tragically short, the impact of her kindness and perseverance continues to inspire those who knew her—and those who now know her story.
