Eyewitnesses have recounted the terrifying scene following the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee on a train in Charlotte.
In August, Iryna Zarutska was stabbed in what appeared to be an unprovoked attack. Decarlos Brown Jr. was apprehended shortly after when police intercepted him at the subsequent stop.
Zarutska had sought refuge in the United States after escaping the conflict in Ukraine with her family, including her mother, sister, and brother. She was only 23 years of age.
Surveillance footage captured Zarutska boarding the CATS Blue Line while listening to music through her headphones. She sat in the row ahead of Brown, who was seen covering his face with his hand. There was no interaction between them, as Zarutska focused on her phone during the ride.
Shortly after, Brown appeared to retrieve an item from his pocket before moving to the opposite side of the train following the stabbing of Zarutska.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has released recordings of the 911 calls made by witnesses in the aftermath of the tragic event.
In one of the urgent 911 calls reported by Fox News, a witness exclaimed, “This man f******* stabbed her for no reason,” and another observer noted, “This lady just got stabbed … I’m not sure where we are … There’s a tall building. There’s a lady on the ground. She’s bleeding a lot. I don’t think she’s responsive. There is a lot of blood.”
The anonymous caller further described the chaos: “Everyone is screaming. People are freaking out. There are people around her right now. She looks young … I don’t know. I don’t think she’s responsive right now. There’s a lot of blood.
“I think she’s dead. She’s not responding. There’s a lot of blood. There is no pulse. I think she’s gone.”
Another witness, clearly distressed, immediately indicated that they believed the victim was deceased. A fourth witness described the alleged attacker as a ‘Black male, dreadlocks, his hair wrapped up, a black T-shirt and blue jeans. His hand is wrapped up’.
According to an affidavit, police discovered a folding knife near the train platform. Zarutska was found unresponsive by authorities upon their arrival.
Having suffered three stab wounds to the ‘middle of the throat’, Zarutska was declared dead following initial medical assistance.
Brown is facing charges of first-degree murder, alongside charges for committing a deadly act on a mass transit system.
He has yet to respond to these accusations in court.