NC Governor Shifts Blame Over Ukrainian Refugee Murder, Internet Brings Receipts [WATCH]

The murder of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s Lynx Blue Line light rail system has prompted widespread attention and criticism, both locally and nationally.

While Charlotte-area media outlets covered the crime immediately after it occurred on August 22, national outlets did not pick up the story until two weeks later, when graphic video of the stabbing began circulating online.

Authorities identified the suspect as 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr., a repeat offender with a lengthy record of criminal charges.

The attack, described by officials as random and unprovoked, left Zarutska dead as she returned home from her job at a local pizzeria.

Local officials have faced heavy scrutiny for their handling of both the case and the broader issue of crime in the city.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles was criticized for her initial comments, which observers said focused more on the background of the accused than on the victim herself.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein issued a statement two weeks after the murder.

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“I am heartbroken for the family of Iryna Zarutska, who lost their loved one to this senseless act of violence, and I am appalled by the footage of her murder,” Stein said.

“We need more cops on the beat to keep people safe. That’s why my budget calls for more funding to hire more well-trained police officers. I call upon the legislature to pass my law enforcement recruitment and retention package to address vacancies in our state and local agencies so they can stop these horrific crimes and hold violent criminals accountable.”

I am heartbroken for the family of Iryna Zarutska, who lost their loved one to this senseless act of violence, and I am appalled by the footage of her murder. We need more cops on the beat to keep people safe. That’s why my budget calls for more funding to hire more well-trained…

— Governor Josh Stein (@NC_Governor) September 8, 2025

Stein’s comments drew renewed attention to his role as the state’s former attorney general and his membership on the North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice.

The task force, established by then-Governor Roy Cooper in 2020, recommended a series of reforms that included expanding pre-trial release and decriminalizing some public conduct.

Critics argue those policies contributed to Brown’s repeated release from custody prior to the fatal stabbing.

Megan Basham, a journalist covering the issue, asked Stein whether he would reconsider the policies: “Governor, your task force for racial equity in criminal justice specifically called for increasing pre-trial release. And decriminalizing ‘public behavior,’ meaning homelessness and being a public nuisance. Both of these policies contributed to Decarlo Brown being on the streets and having the opportunity to commit murder on the Charlotte light rail. Are you going to roll back these policies that your racial task force initiated that are making North Carolinians unsafe?”

Governor, your task force for racial equity in criminal justice specifically called for increasing pre-trial release. And decriminalizing “public behavior,” meaning homelessness and being a public nuisance.

Both of these policies contributed to Decarlo Brown being on the streets… pic.twitter.com/N0YFWpuQBD

— Megan Basham (@megbasham) September 8, 2025

You were Attorney General of North Carolina when her killer was arrested and released from jail 14 times.

The police did their job.

You did not. https://t.co/azCHqZiEVK

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) September 8, 2025

What on earth are you talking about, Governor? Decarlos Brown was arrested 14 times! The police did their job. It’s your job to sign into law bills that keep career criminals in jail! pic.twitter.com/vdtwJuwCrX

— Will Chamberlain (@willchamberlain) September 8, 2025

Current Attorney General Jeff Jackson, who previously served in Congress and the North Carolina state senate, also commented.

“This was an outrageously heinous and vicious act. Iryna was killed while sitting peacefully, an innocent life taken in a shocking and brutal way. We have told the district attorney, who is leading the prosecution, that our office will provide any and all support to deliver justice. We will remain steadfast until that justice is achieved.”

This was an outrageously heinous and vicious act. Iryna was killed while sitting peacefully, an innocent life taken in a shocking and brutal way. We have told the district attorney, who is leading the prosecution, that our office will provide any and all support to deliver…

— Jeff Jackson (@JeffJacksonNC) September 8, 2025

The case is being prosecuted by Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather, who was appointed to the office in 2017 by Cooper.

Merriweather, also a member of the racial justice task force, has publicly supported policies that prioritize “second chances” and “smart on crime” approaches.

Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden, who has faced controversy in the past for refusing to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers on violent offenders, responded by shifting focus away from law enforcement and onto the community.

“The majority of his time is spent in his community. … So we take that, the time that [Brown] spent with us, versus the time that he is with the community: Who failed him? I didn’t fail him. The community failed him,” McFadden said.

The murder of Zarutska, a refugee who fled conflict in Ukraine, has intensified debate in North Carolina over crime policy, judicial discretion, and the effectiveness of local and state leadership.

Lawmakers and residents continue to call for accountability as the case against Brown moves forward in Mecklenburg County courts.