Ukrainian refugee, 23, stabbed to death on US train after fleeing war

A 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee was stabbed to death in a random attack on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 22, sparking outcry over crime in the United States.

Iryna Zarutska, who had fled Kyiv and settled in Charlotte, was attacked by 34-year-old homeless ex-convict Decarlos Brown Jr. during her train journey. Surveillance footage shows Brown pulling out a pocket knife and allegedly stabbing Zarutska three times in the neck five minutes after she boarded the train.

Zarutska collapsed in her seat and was pronounced dead at the scene. Brown, who has a history of mental health problems and previous convictions including robbery with a deadly weapon, removed his bloody hoodie and left the train after the attack.

The case has drawn attention from conservative commentators who accused major news organizations of ignoring the story. Charlotte's Democratic mayor Vi Lyles suggested the footage hadn't been widely shared out of respect for the victim's family.

Brown has been charged with first-degree murder. A GoFundMe campaign launched by Zarutska's friends has raised nearly US$46,000 (HK$358,800) for her family.