Charlotte, December 17, 2025
A stabbing on the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) light rail left one man, Kenyon Dobie, critically injured. Emergency calls revealed chaotic scenes as witnesses attempted to assist. The assailant, Oscar Solorzano, is facing severe charges, including attempted murder. This incident raises ongoing concerns about safety on CATS, especially following another recent stabbing. With security measures being scrutinized, the community is left questioning how to improve safety in public transportation.
Charlotte – 911 Calls Reveal Chaotic Details in CATS Light Rail Stabbing
Recently released emergency service calls have provided a vivid and chaotic account of the December 5, 2025, stabbing incident aboard a Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) light rail train in northeast Charlotte, which left one man seriously injured. The calls offer witness perspectives on the immediate aftermath and the emergency response to the event that unfolded near North Brevard Street and East 25th Street.
Emergency Response and Witness Accounts
The released 911 calls detail the urgent situation as witnesses provided aid to the victim, Kenyon Dobie, and relayed his condition to dispatchers. One caller remained on the line for over five minutes, offering crucial details as authorities were en route. Other calls included reports from witnesses who had left the scene but wished to provide their observations, and individuals reporting the stopped train.
The Incident and Accused
Prosecutors allege that the incident began when Oscar Solorzano was drinking alcohol and yelling at passengers on the train. Kenyon Dobie intervened, urging Solorzano to stop. Solorzano reportedly continued to drink and confront Dobie, refusing to leave him alone. Fearing for his safety, Dobie pushed Solorzano back. Following this, Solorzano allegedly grabbed a knife and stabbed Dobie in the chest before fleeing the scene.
Oscar Solorzano is currently facing multiple charges in Mecklenburg County, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and breaking and entering a motor vehicle. Additionally, he faces federal charges for allegedly committing a terrorist attack or violence against a mass transportation system. Solorzano, identified as being from Honduras, had reportedly been deported twice from the United States and possesses a criminal history in the U.S. Prior to the December 5 attack, Solorzano had been banned from the CATS system, receiving a one-year exclusion on October 8, 2025, for a weapon violation on city property, followed by a six-month exclusion on October 9, 2025, for public intoxication. A data entry error on October 9 meant he should have received an indefinite ban.
Victim’s Subsequent Arrest
A week after the stabbing, Kenyon Dobie was discharged from the hospital. However, he was subsequently arrested on warrants issued in October and November for unrelated charges, including assault on a pregnant woman, domestic violence, and other counts. His bond was set at $2 million for the felony charges and $60,000 for the other charges.
Ongoing Safety Concerns on CATS Light Rail
This incident marks the second high-profile stabbing on the CATS light rail system in less than four months, following the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zartuska on the Blue Line on August 22, 2025. These events have intensified public and political scrutiny regarding the safety and security measures implemented by CATS and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
CATS Interim CEO Brent Cagle has indicated that security teams do not patrol every train throughout each shift. He noted that providing stationary personnel on every Blue Line train across all shifts, seven days a week, would demand an additional 256 officers daily and over 10,000 man-hours weekly. Cagle further stated that having security personnel on every train car and bus around the clock is not considered a “best practice” among major transit agencies nationwide.
Challenges with Open Platform System
The CATS light rail operates on an open platform system, which currently lacks physical barriers such as turnstiles or ticket checks that could prevent banned individuals from boarding. CATS officials are exploring the implementation of technology, including facial recognition capabilities, to help identify individuals who are excluded from the system.
Increased Security Measures and City Council Actions
In response to earlier safety concerns, particularly after the Zartuska stabbing, CATS initiated increased security measures in September. These measures included doubling the number of security personnel from 108 to 219 officers, deploying utility terrain vehicles (UTV) and bike patrols, and enhancing fare evasion checks. The agency’s security and public safety plan was updated on September 24, 2025, reflecting an increase in security spending from $5.8 million in 2023 to $18.4 million in 2025. The private security company, Professional Police Services (PPS), which patrols Charlotte public transportation, has also received expanded jurisdiction to enforce laws beyond city-owned transit property, including the entire rail trail and adjacent areas.
Controversial Marketing Contract
Amidst these safety discussions, the Charlotte City Council recently approved a $3.4 million marketing contract for CATS, which has drawn criticism from some who argue that funds should be prioritized for safety enhancements rather than public relations. City officials, however, maintained that the contract was unrelated to the recent stabbings and that the timing was coincidental. Mayor Vi Lyles has suggested that the city’s light rail system may need to transition away from its open platform design in light of the recent stabbing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What happened on the CATS light rail on December 5, 2025?
- A stabbing incident occurred on a CATS light rail train in northeast Charlotte near North Brevard Street and East 25th Street, leaving one man, Kenyon Dobie, seriously injured.
- Who is accused in the CATS light rail stabbing?
- Oscar Solorzano is accused of stabbing Kenyon Dobie. He faces charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, breaking and entering a motor vehicle in Mecklenburg County, and federal charges for a terrorist attack or violence against a mass transportation system.
- What is the background of Oscar Solorzano?
- Oscar Solorzano, from Honduras, had been previously banned from the CATS system for a weapon violation and public intoxication. He had been deported twice from the United States and has a criminal history in the U.S.
- What happened to the stabbing victim, Kenyon Dobie, after being released from the hospital?
- After being released from the hospital a week later, Kenyon Dobie was arrested on warrants for assault on a pregnant woman, domestic violence, and other charges.
- Are there ongoing safety concerns on the CATS light rail?
- Yes, this incident is the second high-profile stabbing on the CATS light rail in less than four months, raising significant concerns about public safety and security measures on the system.
- What are CATS’ current security measures?
- CATS has increased security personnel, deployed UTV and bike patrols, and enhanced fare evasion checks. Their security spending increased from $5.8 million in 2023 to $18.4 million in 2025. Private security personnel have expanded jurisdiction.
- Why does CATS not have security on every train?
- CATS Interim CEO Brent Cagle stated that staffing every train 24/7 would require significant additional personnel and is not considered a “best practice” by major transit agencies nationwide.
- What is the controversy surrounding the $3.4 million marketing contract?
- The Charlotte City Council’s approval of a $3.4 million marketing contract for CATS drew criticism, with some arguing funds should prioritize safety over public relations, despite city officials stating the contract was unrelated to recent incidents.
Key Features of the CATS Light Rail Stabbing Incident and Context
| Feature | Details | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Date of Stabbing Incident | December 5, 2025 | Charlotte |
| Location of Stabbing Incident | CATS light rail near North Brevard Street and East 25th Street | Charlotte |
| Victim | Kenyon Dobie (seriously injured) | Charlotte |
| Accused Individual | Oscar Solorzano (from Honduras) | Charlotte, Nationwide (for deportation status) |
| Accused’s Charges (Mecklenburg County) | Attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, breaking and entering a motor vehicle | Mecklenburg County |
| Accused’s Charges (Federal Court) | Committing a terrorist attack or violence against a mass transportation system | Nationwide |
| Accused’s Prior CATS Bans | October 8, 2025 (weapon violation), October 9, 2025 (public intoxication) | Charlotte |
| Victim’s Subsequent Arrest | Warrants for assault on a pregnant woman, domestic violence, and other charges | Mecklenburg County |
| Victim’s Bond | $2 million (felony charges), $60,000 (other charges) | Mecklenburg County |
| Previous High-Profile Stabbing | Iryna Zartuska (August 22, 2025, fatal stabbing) | Charlotte |
| CATS Security Spending Increase (2023 to 2025) | From $5.8 million to $18.4 million | Charlotte |
| CATS Marketing Contract (Approved Recently) | $3.4 million | Charlotte |
| CATS System Type | Open platform system | Charlotte |
| Security Patrols on Trains | Not on every train, 256 additional officers needed for 24/7 coverage | Charlotte |
| Expanded Security Jurisdiction | Professional Police Services (PPS) can patrol beyond city-owned transit property | Charlotte |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
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