Charlotte, North Carolina, February 6, 2026
This week in Charlotte, a local woman, Kennedi Desylvia, celebrated a $2 million lottery win, while a federal audit revealed significant safety failures within the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS). The lottery win underscores individual fortune within the community, contrasting with the alarming audit findings that highlighted systemic failures in public transit safety following a tragic incident last year. These developments reflect both the highs of personal achievement and the ongoing challenges faced by city governance and public safety.
Charlotte, North Carolina has seen significant developments this week, with a local resident celebrating a major lottery win and new details emerging from a critical federal audit concerning the city’s public transit safety, which stemmed from a tragic incident last year. These events underscore both moments of individual fortune and ongoing challenges in community safety and governance.
Charlotte Woman Secures $2 Million Lottery Prize
A Charlotte woman, Kennedi Desylvia, recently became a millionaire after purchasing a winning lottery ticket. The North Carolina Education Lottery announced on Thursday, February 5, 2026, that Desylvia won a $2 million top prize from a $20 scratch-off ticket.
Details of the Win
Desylvia bought her winning $2,000,000 Diamond Deluxe ticket from Byrum’s Food Mart on Oakdale Road in northwest Charlotte. She visited the lottery headquarters on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, to claim her prize. Faced with a choice between an annuity of $100,000 over 20 years or a lump sum, she opted for the $1.2 million lump sum. After mandatory state and federal tax withholdings, Desylvia took home an amount of $864,126.
The Diamond Deluxe Game and Lottery’s Impact
The “$2,000,000 Diamond Deluxe” game was introduced in December 2023, originally featuring four $2 million top prizes and eight $100,000 prizes. Following Desylvia’s win, two $2 million prizes and one $100,000 prize remain unclaimed. The North Carolina Education Lottery contributes significantly to local initiatives, with education programs in Mecklenburg County receiving $60 million in support from lottery funds last year. For individuals concerned about gambling, resources are available through the NC Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-877-718-5543 and the National Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Federal Audit Reveals Major Safety Failures in Charlotte’s Transit System
In other significant news, a federal audit released on Monday, February 2, 2026, highlighted critical safety shortcomings within the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS). The audit, conducted by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), found 18 areas of non-compliance in CATS’ safety plan.
Tragic Catalyst and Audit Findings
The FTA initiated its audit last fall, prompted by the tragic murder of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, who was fatally stabbed on a Charlotte light rail train on August 22, 2025. Mourners established a memorial for Zarutska at the East West light rail station. An FTA administrator attributed Zarutska’s death to systemic failures within Charlotte’s transit system. The audit specifically identified deficiencies in CATS’ two safety plans and in its de-escalation training for employees. Disturbingly, the audit also reported that assaults on CATS employees had escalated to five times the national average, and passenger crime rates were three times the national average last year. In response to these findings, CATS is mandated to submit a corrective action plan within 30 days. Further changes are anticipated later this year, with the oversight of the transit system slated to transition from the Charlotte mayor and City Council to a new 27-member regional transit authority.
Controversy Surrounds Suspect’s Early Release
The federal audit’s release coincides with renewed scrutiny surrounding the individual charged with Zarutska’s murder, Decarlos Brown Jr., who was arrested and charged with first-degree murder after allegedly stabbing Zarutska from behind while she was seated on the train. Documents made public on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, have ignited a debate regarding Brown’s connection to a 2021 COVID-era settlement. This settlement, negotiated under former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper’s administration, authorized the early release or transition of 3,500 incarcerated individuals.
Political Implications and Criminal History
Republican officials are actively questioning whether Brown was among those released early due to this settlement. While state officials contend Brown served his full sentence and that his inclusion on the list was merely a technicality, the controversy highlights broader concerns about criminal justice policies. Brown possesses an extensive criminal record, including previous charges and psychiatric crises, and had served a five-year prison sentence for robbery with a dangerous weapon. He was also under state supervision at the time of the fatal attack. The profound impact of Iryna Zarutska’s death has already led to legislative action, prompting the passage of House Bill 307, known as “Iryna’s Law,” which aims for various criminal law reforms, including provisions to resume capital punishment in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Kennedi Desylvia win?
Kennedi Desylvia won a $2 million top prize.
Where did Kennedi Desylvia buy her lottery ticket?
Kennedi Desylvia bought her winning $2,000,000 Diamond Deluxe ticket from Byrum’s Food Mart on Oakdale Road in northwest Charlotte.
How much did Kennedi Desylvia take home after taxes?
After mandatory state and federal tax withholdings, Kennedi Desylvia took home an amount of $864,126.
When was the federal audit on CATS safety released?
A federal audit on Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) safety failures was released on Monday, February 2, 2026.
What were the main findings of the CATS safety audit?
The audit found 18 areas of non-compliance in CATS’ safety plan, identifying deficiencies in CATS’ two safety plans and in its de-escalation training for employees. It also reported that assaults on CATS employees had escalated to five times the national average, and passenger crime rates were three times the national average last year.
Who was Iryna Zarutska?
Iryna Zarutska was a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who was fatally stabbed on a Charlotte light rail train on August 22, 2025.
What is the controversy surrounding Decarlos Brown Jr.’s release?
Documents made public on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, link Decarlos Brown Jr., who is charged with Iryna Zarutska’s murder, to a 2021 COVID-era settlement under former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper’s administration that authorized the early release or transition of 3,500 incarcerated individuals. Republican officials are questioning whether Brown was among those released early.
What is “Iryna’s Law”?
“Iryna’s Law,” or House Bill 307, was prompted by Iryna Zarutska’s death and aims for various criminal law reforms, including provisions to resume capital punishment in the state.
Key Features Summary
| Event | Key Details | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Lottery Win | Winner: Kennedi Desylvia. Prize: $2 million (top prize). Ticket: $20 “$2,000,000 Diamond Deluxe” scratch-off. Net Winnings: $864,126 after taxes. Game Status: Two $2 million prizes and one $100,000 prize remain. Lottery Contribution: $60 million to Mecklenburg County education last year. | State-level (North Carolina) |
| CATS Safety Audit | Audit Release: Monday, February 2, 2026. Findings: 18 areas of non-compliance in safety plan. Deficiencies: Two safety plans, de-escalation training. Employee Assaults: Five times the national average. Passenger Crime: Three times the national average. Mandate: CATS to submit corrective action plan within 30 days. Future Oversight: Shift to new 27-member regional transit authority later this year. | Local (Charlotte), National (comparison with averages) |
| Iryna Zarutska Stabbing | Victim: Iryna Zarutska, 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee. Date: August 22, 2025. Location: Charlotte light rail. Suspect: Decarlos Brown Jr., charged with first-degree murder. Political Controversy: Link to 2021 COVID-era prisoner release settlement. Legislative Impact: Prompted “Iryna’s Law” (House Bill 307) for criminal law reforms. | Local (Charlotte), State-level (prison release, Iryna’s Law) |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
