Representative Andy Biggs has sharply criticized Charlotte city officials and media coverage following the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian woman on a city train last month.
Iryna Zarutska was killed on the Charlotte Blue Line train on August 22. According to surveillance footage made public by the Charlotte Area Transit System, Zarutska was wearing headphones and was in an aisle seat when Decarlos Brown, who was seated behind her, abruptly assaulted her with a knife without any prior contact.
After the stabbing, Brown walked to the other end of the train and removed his hoodie while other passengers rushed to help Zarutska. The train stopped two minutes later, and Charlotte police immediately arrested Brown as he stepped onto the platform.
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Reported by ABC7Chicago, Brown, who has a history of both criminal activity and mental health issues, now faces first-degree murder charges and has been banned for life from the transit system.
Criticizing Leadership
Andy Biggs accused Wikipedia of attempting to suppress information about the murder of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, claiming it "doesn't fit the Leftstream Media's narrative." He urged supporters not to let the story be forgotten.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles released a statement after the surveillance video became public, thanking media partners and community members who chose not to share the footage out of respect for the victim's family.
However, Biggs denounced Charlotte's Democratic leadership over the case, explicitly mentioning the suspect's criminal history.
"The monster who brutally murdered 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska was arrested and released FOURTEEN times," Biggs stated.
He opposed Mayor Vi Lyles for asking residents to show "compassion," saying, "Iryna's blood is on the hands of Charlotte's Democrat leaders who refuse to lock up violent criminals."
Remembering Iryna Zarutska
Zarutska was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, and came to the United States in August 2022 with her mother, sister, and brother to escape the war. She had graduated from college in Ukraine with a degree in Art and Restoration and was known for her artistic talents, creating sculptures and designing unique clothing.
The young woman quickly learned English and was working toward her goal of becoming a Veterinary Assistant. She was known in her neighborhood for caring for pets and walking them with what neighbors remembered as a bright smile. She was also learning to drive as she worked toward independence in her new country.
Through this tragedy, Biggs continues to use the case to highlight what he sees as failures in criminal justice policies, arguing that repeat offenders should face stricter consequences to prevent such tragedies from occurring.
