Charlotte, North Carolina, December 12, 2025
In Charlotte, two men face federal charges following separate stabbing incidents on the city’s light rail system, raising critical public safety concerns. Decarlos Brown Jr. is charged with causing death after fatally stabbing a 23-year-old woman, while Oscar Gerardo Solorzano-Garcia faces charges for allegedly stabbing another man. These incidents have prompted discussions on public safety and led to new legislative measures aimed at repeat offenders.
Charlotte, North Carolina: Federal Charges in Recent Light Rail Stabbings
Charlotte, North Carolina – Two men have been federally charged in separate stabbing incidents on the city’s light rail system, raising significant concerns about public safety.
Decarlos Brown Jr. Charged in Fatal Stabbing
Decarlos Brown Jr., 35, has been charged with causing death on a mass transportation system following the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in August. Brown, who has a history of over a dozen arrests, is also facing state charges, including first-degree murder. His attorneys have requested a mental health evaluation, citing concerns over his competency due to a schizophrenia diagnosis and past erratic behavior.
Oscar Gerardo Solorzano-Garcia Faces Federal Charges
Oscar Gerardo Solorzano-Garcia, 33, a Honduran national previously deported twice, has been charged with violence on a mass transportation system and illegal reentry after allegedly stabbing a man on the same transit system in December. Prosecutors emphasized the need to protect public transportation users from such threats. Solorzano-Garcia remains in custody without bond.
Background on the Incidents
The stabbing of Iryna Zarutska occurred on August 22, 2025, at the East/West Boulevard station on the Lynx Blue Line. Surveillance footage shows Zarutska boarding the train and sitting in front of the perpetrator. Minutes later, the perpetrator pulled a pocket knife from his hoodie and stabbed Zarutska three times from behind. She collapsed from her injuries and died at the scene.
The December 5 incident involved Solorzano-Garcia allegedly stabbing a 24-year-old man, Kenyon Kareem Dobie, in the chest during an altercation on the Blue Line. Solorzano-Garcia, who has a criminal history and was previously deported, was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and other offenses.
Implications and Responses
These incidents have sparked discussions about public safety and immigration enforcement. In response to the fatal stabbing, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein signed House Bill 307, known as “Iryna’s Law,” into law on December 1, 2025. The law aims to tighten bail restrictions for certain violent and repeat offenders. However, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden has expressed concerns that the law could worsen jail overcrowding, as it requires more suspects to be held for longer periods without providing additional funding or resources.
Both cases have drawn political scrutiny, with President Donald Trump commenting on the incidents to criticize crime policies in Democratic-led cities. City officials have defended their public safety initiatives, citing increased transit security measures, including police presence and new technologies. Mayor Vi Lyles emphasized limits on city control over immigration enforcement but reiterated the commitment to public safety.
Conclusion
The recent stabbings in Charlotte’s light rail system have highlighted critical issues surrounding public safety and criminal justice reform in North Carolina. As local authorities respond to these challenges, citizens are encouraged to support initiatives aimed at improving safety and community cohesion. With entrepreneurial spirit and innovation at the forefront, the business community can play a vital role in fostering a safer Charlotte while contributing to economic growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the federal charges against Decarlos Brown Jr.?
- Decarlos Brown Jr., 35, has been charged with causing death on a mass transportation system following the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in August. He is also facing state charges, including first-degree murder. His attorneys have requested a mental health evaluation, citing concerns over his competency due to a schizophrenia diagnosis and past erratic behavior.
- What charges has Oscar Gerardo Solorzano-Garcia faced?
- Oscar Gerardo Solorzano-Garcia, 33, a Honduran national previously deported twice, has been charged with violence on a mass transportation system and illegal reentry after allegedly stabbing a man on the same transit system in December. Prosecutors emphasized the need to protect public transportation users from such threats. Solorzano-Garcia remains in custody without bond.
- What is “Iryna’s Law”?
- “Iryna’s Law,” enacted on December 1, 2025, aims to tighten bail restrictions for certain violent and repeat offenders in North Carolina. The law was named after Iryna Zarutska, who was fatally stabbed on the Charlotte light rail system in August 2025. However, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden has expressed concerns that the law could worsen jail overcrowding, as it requires more suspects to be held for longer periods without providing additional funding or resources.
- How have political figures responded to these incidents?
- President Donald Trump commented on the incidents to criticize crime policies in Democratic-led cities. City officials have defended their public safety initiatives, citing increased transit security measures, including police presence and new technologies. Mayor Vi Lyles emphasized limits on city control over immigration enforcement but reiterated the commitment to public safety.
| Incident | Suspect | Charges | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2025 Stabbing | Decarlos Brown Jr., 35 | Federal: Causing death on a mass transportation system; State: First-degree murder | Fatally stabbed 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on the Lynx Blue Line. Attorneys seek mental health evaluation due to schizophrenia diagnosis. |
| December 2025 Stabbing | Oscar Gerardo Solorzano-Garcia, 33 | Federal: Violence on a mass transportation system, Illegal reentry; State: Attempted first-degree murder, Assault with a deadly weapon, and others | Allegedly stabbed 24-year-old Kenyon Kareem Dobie on the Blue Line. Previously deported twice; remains in custody without bond. |
Now Happening on X
- @corechaincrypto (December 6, 2025, 2:30 AM) Another stabbing reported on Charlotte’s light rail, with the victim in critical but stable condition near 25th Street station, marking the second such incident. View on X
- @aaron_renn (December 6, 2025, 2:09 AM) Reports a stabbing on the Charlotte light rail, with the victim in critical but stable condition. View on X
- @WFAE (December 9, 2025, 2:30 PM) Covers the man accused in the Charlotte light rail stabbing being held without bond, alongside other local updates on school measures and town management. View on X
- @newsobserver (December 11, 2025, 2:20 PM) Notes that the victim in the Charlotte light rail stabbing has been arrested on an unrelated assault charge. View on X
- @newsobserver (December 11, 2025, 9:10 PM) Updates on the Charlotte light rail stabbing victim arrested for an unrelated assault. View on X
- @News3LV (December 10, 2025, 10:00 PM) Highlights growing safety concerns in Charlotte after two light rail stabbings, with two-thirds of residents feeling less safe than last year. View on X
- @harrywhoover (December 10, 2025, 10:50 PM) Criticizes Charlotte’s approach to recent safety issues as superficial rather than addressing root problems. View on X
- @ResoluteMama (December 6, 2025, 9:16 AM) Questions the effectiveness of Charlotte’s increased security funding following another light rail stabbing, referencing the mayor’s announcements. View on X
- @sparkyelect53 (December 6, 2025, 3:27 AM) Points out a light rail stabbing occurring despite the mayor’s recent promises for enhanced safety during her swearing-in. View on X
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Author: HERE Charlotte
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