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The man accused of killing a young woman on a North Carolina light-rail train has been deemed incompetent to stand trial in his federal case following a mental evaluation.
Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, is charged in the fatal stabbing of Ukrainian woman Iryna Zarutska, 23, while aboard the light-rail Lynx Blue Line in Charlotte on Aug. 22, 2025.
Brown is expected to be committed to a special facility under the direction of the U.S. attorney general for treatment aimed at restoring competency. If he is later found competent, the federal case could resume.
“Let me be clear, he will be in custody that whole time. Mr. Brown is in federal custody now and will remain in federal custody until trial,” Russ Ferguson, U.S. attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, said following the hearing. “For us, our number one goal here is justice for Iryna Zaruska and Iryna Zarizka’s family. That’s what’s on the top of our minds and our hearts every day.”
Brown could face the death penalty if the federal case proceeds. However, a defendant who is found incompetent cannot be tried or executed while incompetent.
Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., 34, was arrested in Mecklenburg County and charged in the Aug. 22, 2025, stabbing death of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska aboard a Charlotte light-rail train. (Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office)
Ferguson explained that Brown would be assigned a medical doctor who will evaluate him.
“I’m very hopeful to have his capacity restored,” he said. “The doctor that examined him for the competency hearing today found that his prognosis for restoration is very good. So I rely on the doctors here, and I think that his prognosis is good, and we will see him stand trial.”
Iryna Zarutska curls up in fear as a man looms over her during a disturbing attack on a Charlotte, N.C. light rail train. (NewsNation via Charlotte Area Transit System)
Brown was federally indicted on a charge of committing an act of violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death.
The hearing comes after a Bureau of Prisons evaluation found on May 7 that Brown was incompetent to stand trial for his state charges.
The finding followed what officials described as a lengthy process that included interviews and a review of medical records.
Brown is accused of murdering Zarutska on the Charlotte train. Surveillance video shows Zarutska entering the train car and sitting down in front of Brown.
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Roughly four minutes later, Brown allegedly pulled a knife from his pocket and stabbed her three times from behind before departing the train.
Fox News Digital’s Julia Bonavita contributed to this report.
