Her life mattered — and we will not let her death be forgotten.

 

On August 22, 2025, at 9 PM, 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska was brutally stabbed to death in a Charlotte train, North Carolina. Her killer, Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., had already served time for 14 previous crimes. He targeted Iryna because she was white, saying on video: “I’ve got this white girl, got her blood everywhere.” after murder.

Iryna died gradually in the train seat, completely alone and terrified. Other passengers did nothing to help — people simply left her to die. Despite his violent history and diagnosis of schizophrenia, his actions were motivated by race, not mental illness. Even his own mother reportedly expelled him from home due to aggressive behavior.

 

 

Shockingly, Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes released him on a promise to appear, allowing this dangerous man to remain free.

 

Why it matters:

This tragedy exposes a failure in the justice system and public safety. Iryna’s death was preventable, yet she died alone and defenseless. No one should face such a fate, and a person with this history and motives cannot be walking free among the public.

 

We demand:

1. Full prosecution of Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., with life without parole or the death penalty.
2. Official classification of the crime as a hate crime.
3. Accountability for Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes, including removal from her position for releasing a dangerous individual.
4. Urgent reforms to protect public transit riders, especially vulnerable immigrants and women.
    

Sign this petition to demand justice and maximal punishment for Iryna Zarutska’s killer.