Victim of random train stabbing embraced American dream, ‘could have taken the world by storm,’ neighbors say

Charlotte – She fled the war in Ukraine and hoped to build a new life in the United States. Instead, 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack Charlotte Light Rail Train Go home from get off work.

For her neighbors, the tragedy becomes even more painful whenever they walk into the home and see the flowers she paints – a bright flavor of pink and green, signed with her delicate hands.

Neighbors in Huntersville, a suburb of Charlotte, who had lived with family in Charlotte, told Fox News Digital that they first met Ukrainian refugees with Ukrainian refugees through their local Facebook group, where she announced she was looking for opportunities to paint, to add flowers or murals to the house.

“She came over and made some samples for us, and we still had them,” said a neighbor. “She was here for a few days, drawing upstairs, and we met her.”

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Despite her limited English, she contacted them quickly through the translation app.

“She didn’t know English at the time, so we used Google Translate,” a neighbor recalled. “She was just a real cute girl. Very shy, but very smart.”

The family pointed out that she was working hard to learn English in order to find more opportunities. The neighbor even gave her a computer to help her learn.

Zarutska spent a few days painting at a family home, taking a break and sharing stories about life In Ukraine.

“She was very cheerful and enthusiastic,” another neighbor recalled. “We had a great time with her.”

Who is Iryna Zarutska, who was killed in the Charlotte train attack by Ukrainian refugees?

Her prosecutor described her as a graduate of the Kiev Collaborative College and received a degree in Arts and Recovery. The loved ones emphasized her deep creativity, love for animals and her determination to keep learning.

Her obedience reads: “Iryna will be remembered for her kindness, creativity, and the lasting impressions left by everyone she meets. Her absence leaves a deep gap, but her spirit will remain in the hearts of those who love her.”

On August 22, police said Zarutska was ambushed while riding a light rail house while working at Zepeddie’s Pizza. Authorities say surveillance video shows Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr. In what investigators called her “seemingly unprovoked” attack, she was stabbed three times. She was still wearing a uniform at the time.

Russ Ferguson, lawyer in the western United States North Carolina, The tragedy was highlighted at a press conference on Tuesday.

Iryna Zarutska fled Ukraine’s security, but Democratic soft criminal policy disappointed her

“She is a refugee. She actually came from a bomb shelter in Ukraine to escape the war,” he said. “And she was going for a day. She was going home from work like all of us. She was brutally murdered.”

Brown is charged at state level First-degree murder Now facing federal charges for fatal actions against the public transportation system. Prosecutors are seeking life in prison without parole and are reviewing whether the case is eligible for a death sentence.

Court documents obtained by Fox News Digital reveal Brown A wide range of criminal backgroundsspanning more than ten years. His records include theft, break-in and intrusion convictions in 2013, and the armed robbery in 2015. He was released in 2020 and has been before parole.

The case has attracted national attention. President Donald Trump Call Brown a “madman” and used the incident to argue for stricter sentencing laws and federal participation in violent crimes.

Locally, the community was shaken. “She was very smart, talented, and very artistic,” said a neighbor. “She could have swept the potential of the world.”

Cold video shows Ukrainian refugees stabbed to death on Charlotte light rail

Zarutska’s artwork now brings new meanings to those who know her.

Another neighbor said: “She has a technique – putting down the colors and mixing them together and thinking about your thoughts completely. Phenomenon.”

Another pointing to the corner of their house, a simple flower was painted. “It’s simple, but to me, it’s so special.” “I’m glad I asked her to sign.”

Neighbors say her work lives in their home and in their hearts. “Every time I come here, I say her name. Her memory is here every day.”

Despite their short time with her, the neighbors were shocked by her wisdom and driving.

Others recall conversations about the differences between life in Ukraine and Charlotte. She doesn’t have a driver’s license, but instead relies on public transportation – which she explains is common in her hometown.

Jenean Forges, a former publisher of Huntersville Living Magazine, wrote a story about the Zarutska family in 2023.

“They are just a very sweet family and a great honor,” Forges told Fox News Digital. “I was inspired by the family setting there. The kids are just young and sweet and they are so happy to be here for the first time.

“They just came. I don’t think they were even speaking English. Literally, they just arrived. But they were just excited, they were just taking pictures and were just fun, like they were just a little silly and cute. I remember Iryna. I was really cute, polite, happy, happy, funny, funny.

“It’s heartbreaking now, it’s sad, and I can’t even find a word of expression,” she added. “It’s even hard to wrap my head around what’s going on in Iryna.”

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In the days since her death, those who knew her said they had a duty to keep her memory alive.

“Say her name. Let her be real,” said a neighbor.

For her neighbors, the flowers she left behind were more than art, a reminder of the young woman who dreamed of building a new life in America.

During a section of Tuesday’s press conference, Ferguson shared information about Zarutska’s family.

“After Iryna’s death, Ukrainian Embassy He called and said, “We will help you take her home.” But her family said no. They told us she loves America and they wanted to bury her here. So I think we can give her a America to be proud of. ”

Sarah Rumpf Whitten of Fox News Digital contributed to the report.