The man accused of fatally stabbing the 23-year-old Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light rail train in August last year has been found incapable of standing trial, per reports.
Iryna Zarutska fled Ukraine with her mother, sister, and younger brother after Russia invaded their country. She ended up living with her aunt and uncle in Huntersville, North Carolina, in 2022, after having lived in a bomb shelter for months.
On August 22, 2025, Iryna Zarutska boarded the late-night Blue Line train as it had pulled into Scaleybark station a few miles outside of downtown Charlotte. Security cameras on the train captured her wearing khaki pants and a dark shirt.
A few minutes later, a person sitting on the seat behind her, identified as Decarlos Brown, stood up, dug into a pocket inside his jacket, and took out a knife. He launged up on his feet and stabbed Zarutska several times.
The Ukrainian refugee clutched both her face and throat before falling to the ground. Passengers tried helping her, but she died on the train from her injuries.
Zarutska died on the train from her injuries as passengers kneeled over her trying to help. Brown was caught and charged with first-degree murder.
Man accused of killing Ukrainian refugee found “incapable to proceed” on murder charges
The fatal stabbing sent a shockwave through the U.S, with even President Donald Trump showing his rage. Now, Decarlos Brown has been found “incapable to proceed” on state murder charges.
According to a motion filed on Tuesday, April 7, Decarlos Brown underwent an evaluation at Central Regional Hospital, WBTV reported. A report from December 29 last year concluded that he is not capable of moving forward with the case, though a judge has yet to decide whether to accept those findings.
Brown’s public defender has requested that the court delay the proceedings by 180 days, including a hearing to determine whether prosecutors will pursue the death penalty.
Decarlos Brown has been held in federal custody in Chicago since a grand jury indicted him on October 22 on charges of committing violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death. He is also facing state charges of first-degree murder.
‘Takes long time to restore someone’s ability to stand trial’
He has been told to get a mental health check as part of his federal case. But court documents seen last month show the check is not finished, and the time for it has been extended.
WBTV further reported that in North Carolina, it can take a long time to restore someone’s ability to stand trial. This is because there are not enough beds in state psychiatric hospitals, and it is common for people to wait a year or more for a place.
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