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Charlotte stabbing: US president Donald Trump has called for the death penalty for Decarlos Brown Jr., who is accused of killing 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Trump Calls for Quick Trial After Ukrainian Refugee Killed on Train

Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social, referring to Brown as an “ANIMAL” for the violent killing of Zarutska, who had come to the US seeking peace and safety. He urged for a “quick” trial and insisted that Brown should receive only “THE DEATH PENALTY,” adding, “There can be no other option,” as per his Truth Social post.

His demand for death penalty comes after Zarutska was stabbed on a train on August 22 and was pronounced dead at the scene, as per a report.


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Decarlos Brown Jr. Faces Murder and Mass Transit Death Charges

The 34 year old Brown, faces murder charges and is being held without bond at Mecklenburg County Jail, as per a Newsweek report. The Department of Justice also charged him with causing death on a mass transportation system, a charge that carries a penalty ranging from life in prison to execution, as per the report.

Safety Concerns Raised in Charlotte Amid Brown’s Criminal History

Zarutska's case has raised concerns about safety and policing in Charlotte as Brown, who has a history of mental illness, was known to local authorities and had been arrested 14 times over more than a decade, as per the Newsweek report. His criminal record includes felony larceny, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and communicating threats, as per the report. While in 2015, he was also sentenced to six years in prison for incidents dating back to 2013 and 2014, as per Newsweek report.

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Trump Questions Brown's Cashless Bail in January

Earlier, Trump had called for Brown to be “locked up” but had stopped short of demanding the death penalty, according to the report. On Tuesday, he criticized the justice system for allowing Brown to be out on cashless bail in January despite his lengthy criminal history, questioning how someone with 14 arrests was still roaming around freely to be able to commit such a crime, as per the Newsweek report.

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Iryna Zarutska's Family Speaks Out After Tragic Killing of Ukrainian Refugee

Zarutska’s family expressed their grief in a statement to WSOC-TV, saying, "We are heartbroken beyond words. Iryna came here to find peace and safety, and instead her life was stolen from her in the most horrific way. No family should have to go through this," as quoted in the report.

Pam Bondi Seeks Maximum Penalty in Zarutska Murder Case

US Attorney General Pam Bondi also condemned Zarutska's murder, calling it a result of “failed soft-on-crime policies,” according to Newsweek. Bondi wrote in an X post on Tuesday, saying, "I have directed my attorneys to federally prosecute Decarlos Brown Jr., a repeat violent offender with a history of violent crime, for murder. We will seek the maximum penalty for this unforgivable crime, and he will never again see the light of day as a free man."

FAQs

Who is Decarlos Brown Jr.?
He is the 34-year-old man charged with killing Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte.

What happened to Iryna Zarutska?
She was stabbed on a train in Charlotte on August 22 and died at the scene, as per the Newsweek report.