North Carolina officials addressed transit safety concerns Wednesday in the wake of the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee on Charlotte's public transit system.
Iryna Zarutska, 23, was killed on a Charlotte Area Transit System train last month. Her fatal stabbing has generated national outrage in recent days after video of the killing was released and the suspect was identified as having a history of violent crimes.
Some local lawmakers said Wednesday that the killing called for expanding Charlotte's police force and mental health services and staffing at the district attorney's office. Others blamed Democratic policies and "woke narratives" and called for overhauling the state's criminal justice system.
"Let’s be very clear, crime is a choice, and Democrats have chosen to side with criminals," Jason Simmons, the chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party, said at a news conference. "Their policies of appeasement, their weak on crime policies, their open door and revolving door policies in our criminal justice system and jails have allowed murderers back on the streets, time and time again."
Speaking at a news conference at the Charlotte Transit Station, City Council member Malcolm Graham, a Democrat, appeared to suggest that Democratic politicians bore some of the blame.
"Let me be clear. We also must close the revolving door for repeat offenders," he said. "Too many of the crimes that disrupt our neighborhoods and transit system are committed by individuals who cycle through the system over and over and over again."
Graham added that "there’s no choice but to meet this moment with clarity of purpose by increasing, by addressing root causes, admitting our shortcomings where they exist and listening to community voices and acting swiftly to regain public confidence."
Zarutska recently came to the United States to escape her country's invasion by Russia, according to her family.
Security video shows her being abruptly stabbed in the neck by a passenger seated behind her without any provocation. Seconds later, without receiving help or any visible concern from other train passengers, Zarutska collapses to the train floor, where she was later pronounced dead.
Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, was charged with committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system.
Brown has a criminal history spanning over a decade, including felony breaking and entering and robbery with a dangerous weapon, according to court records.
His criminal record has drawn ire from some federal officials, who say he should not have been out on the streets.
"This tragedy was preventable," Rep. Tim Moore, R-N.C., wrote on X. "There must be accountability. North Carolinians deserve better."
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller blamed Zarutska's death on the Democratic Party, accusing politicians and judges — who are typically apolitical figures — of being too lenient in prosecuting criminals.
At a White House briefing on Tuesday, press secretary Karoline Leavitt blamed the media.
"Perhaps most shamefully of all, the majority of media — many outlets in this room — decided that her murder was not worth reporting on originally, because it does not fit a preferred narrative," Leavitt said.
Brown would face life in prison without parole or the death sentence if he is convicted.
Lauren O. Newton, a lawyer for Zarutska's family, said in a statement that she recently moved in with her partner and was taking classes to improve her English. She described Zarutska, 23, as "kind and hardworking" and deeply loved by family and close friends.
"Iryna came here to find peace and safety, and instead her life was stolen from her in the most horrific way," Newton said.
