Key facts
- The family of Iryna Zarutska is suing the city of Charlotte and Professional Security Services.
- The lawsuit alleges that known safety concerns and inadequate security measures led to Zarutska's fatal stabbing.
- The family is seeking monetary damages and improvements to light rail safety.
- Zarutska was killed on a Charlotte light rail train a year before the lawsuit was filed.
- The suspect in Zarutska's death was found incompetent to stand trial.
- The case was used by the Trump administration and Republicans to criticize local crime policies.
The family of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, has filed a lawsuit against the city of Charlotte and its transit security provider, Professional Security Services, one year after she was fatally stabbed on a light rail train. The suit, lodged in Mecklenburg County superior court, claims that the city and the security company were aware of violent crime on the transit system but failed to implement adequate safety measures, leading to Zarutska's death.
The lawsuit specifically points to insufficient fare enforcement and security staffing, arguing that measures like turnstiles or proper staffing, which the city could afford, could have prevented the attack. The family is seeking financial compensation and hopes the legal action will prompt security enhancements across Charlotte's public transit.
Zarutska's killing occurred as she was returning home from work. The suspect, Decarlos Brown Jr., was charged but later found incompetent to stand trial due to mental illness. Zarutska had fled Ukraine seeking safety in the U.S. Her death became a significant point in public discussions about urban crime, mental health, and the safety of public transportation.
The case was notably highlighted by the Trump administration and Republican allies as an example of perceived failures in crime prevention in Democratic-led cities. In response to the broader concerns, North Carolina enacted 'Iryna's Law' in September, which revises definitions of violent offenses, introduces bail limitations for violent crimes, and restricts cashless bond releases in certain situations.