A US federal grand jury has formally indicted a North Carolina man accused of murdering 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, in a case that could lead to the death penalty.
The indictment, issued Wednesday, states that 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr. “intentionally killed” Zarutska during a violent and unprovoked knife attack on August 22 aboard a train in Charlotte, North Carolina.
According to surveillance footage, Brown stabbed Zarutska three times in the neck before fleeing the scene with the weapon still in his hand. Police apprehended him shortly afterward, and he now faces a first-degree murder charge.
An attorney for Zarutska’s family expressed relief over the indictment, stating that the family was “pleased” with the development and hopeful for “swift justice.”
Court records reveal that Brown has a long history of violent offenses, including felony breaking and entering and armed robbery, for which he previously served five years in prison.
The murder of Iryna Zarutska has reignited national debate over capital punishment in the United States. Former President Donald Trump condemned the killing, calling Brown an “animal,” and urged that the death penalty be imposed.
In late September, Trump signed an executive order reinstating the death penalty for murder cases in Washington, D.C., arguing it would deter violent crime.
Currently, 27 US states still allow executions, while 23 have abolished the practice. North Carolina has upheld a moratorium on executions since the early 2000s.
Following Zarutska’s death, North Carolina lawmakers passed “Iryna’s Law,” reinstating the death penalty and mandating officials to explore alternative execution methods if lethal injection is unavailable.
Earlier this year, proposals were introduced to authorize firing squads and the electric chair, though Governor Josh Stein criticized such methods as “barbaric,” pledging that no firing squads would operate under his administration.
The tragic killing of Iryna Zarutska underscores ongoing tensions surrounding the US justice system, violent crime, and the death penalty debate. The case has also drawn international attention due to Zarutska’s refugee status, symbolizing broader discussions about safety, justice, and accountability in America.