Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles declined to comment on President Trump’s call for the death penalty against Decarlos Brown Jr., accused of fatally stabbing Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska.
She and her office instead issued a statement stressing transit safety and related concerns in the Democrat-heavy city of North Carolina.
“The city has always partnered well with the Federal Transit Authority, including earlier this year for CATS’ (the transit system) triennial review which was successfully completed,” said Lyles. “We respect the FTA’s role and will take this opportunity to work with them to review how we provide safe service to our community. We are ready and willing to work with state and federal partners to make our community better and safer.”
However, Lyles refused to offer insight or a response to President Trump’s suggestion for the death penalty. The president had posted the following to Truth Social after Brown’s capture:
“The animal who so violently killed the beautiful young lady from Ukraine, who came to America searching for peace and safety, should be given a ‘Quick’ (there is no doubt!) Trial, and only awarded the death penalty. There can be no other option!!!”
Lyles said she will pursue bipartisan solutions on issues like transit safety, noting CATS has boosted security on the Blue Line—where Zarutska was killed—since the attack.
“CATS will also deploy new security teams, including bike patrols and urban terrain vehicles in the coming weeks. Nearly 30 additional security personnel will also be added,” Lyles said.
After allegedly killing Zarutska, Brown told his sister he hurt his hand stabbing her and questioned why anyone would do it “for no reason.” He claimed “material in [his] body” was to blame and should be investigated. His sister later remarked that the victim was from Ukraine or Russia, citing a “war against the United States.”
North Carolina retains the death penalty but has observed a de facto moratorium since 2006, amid legal battles over bias and the drugs used in lethal injections.
🚨BREAKING: Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles just won the Democratic primary as she seeks a 5th term.
In August, after the brutal murder of Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte, Lyles argued, “We will never arrest our way out of issues such as homelessness and mental health,” urging the public… pic.twitter.com/xtIBNm1fQr
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) September 10, 2025
