Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old refugee from Ukraine, came to North Carolina with the hope of starting over. She ran away from war with her mother and siblings, and she quickly became a valued member of her new community. She was kind and determined, and she worked several jobs, took English classes, and dreamed of becoming a veterinary assistant.
For two years, it looked like she was on the right track to the American dream. She worked hard, took care of her family, and saved for important events that would make her free. People who knew her said she was kind, strong, and full of potential.
That promise was good until August 22, 2025. Iryna got on a light-rail train after working a long shift at a pizzeria in Charlotte. She looked tired but happy, not knowing what was going to happen to her.
Authorities say that Decarlos Brown Jr., a man with a long criminal record, suddenly attacked her. The surveillance video shows that the two had never met before, which makes the shock and grief even worse.
At the next station, the police took Brown into custody. He is now charged with first-degree murder, and federal officials are looking into more crimes that happened on public transportation. The quick response didn’t do much to help Charlotte’s destruction.
More than a hundred people came to Iryna’s funeral to remember how kind and determined she was. Her uncle, who helped the family move to America, said she was the very definition of kindness and determination.
Friends and coworkers remembered how much she loved animals, how creative she was, and how willing she was to help others. She had just saved up enough money to buy her first car and was getting ready for her driver’s test. These were small victories that showed her dreams.
The death of Iryna has brought people together to support refugees and make the community safer. Even though she died too soon, her warmth, determination, and legacy of kindness continue to inspire everyone who knew her.