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911 calls reveal witnesses' accounts of horror after Ukrainian refugee is stabbed on Charlotte train

  • Writer: Pilipina Flores Carandang
    Pilipina Flores Carandang
  • Oct 2
  • 2 min read
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The Ukrainian refugee passed away in August after being stabbed on the train


Witnesses recounted the terrifying scene they witnessed after a Ukrainian refugee was fatally stabbed on a train in Charlotte.


In August, Iryna Zarutska was stabbed in what seemed to be a completely random attack, with Decarlos Brown Jr. apprehended just minutes later, after being confronted by police at the next stop.


Zarutska was a refugee in America after escaping the war in Ukraine with her mother, sister, and brother. She was only 23 years old.


Video footage captured Zarutska boarding the CATS Blue Line while wearing headphones, as she sat in the row in front of Brown, who had his hand over his face. They did not interact at all, as Zarutska continued to look at her phone during the train ride.


The attack seemed to be random
The attack seemed to be random

Brown appeared to take something out of his pocket shortly after, before moving to the other side of the train following Zarutska's stabbing.


The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has released audio recordings of witnesses who called 911 after the terrible event.


In one of the frantic calls obtained by Fox News, a witness stated: "This man f******* stabbed her for no reason," while another added: "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 unidentified caller continued: "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."


Iryna Zarutska was fatally stabbed in August.
Iryna Zarutska was fatally stabbed in August.

Meanwhile, a third witness immediately expressed panic, shouting that she believed the victim was dead, while a fourth described the alleged attacker as a 'Black male with dreadlocks, his hair wrapped up, wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans. His hand is wrapped up'.


An affidavit revealed that police found a folding knife near the platform, as authorities discovered Zarutska unresponsive when they boarded the train.


After being stabbed three times, including in the 'middle of the throat', Zarutska was declared dead following initial medical treatment.


Brown has since been charged with first-degree murder and causing a death on a mass transportation system.


He has not yet entered a plea to these charges.


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