A System That Failed Iryna Zarutska

On August 22, 23-year-old Ukrainian war refugee Iryna Zarutska was tragically stabbed to death on a light-rail train. Just before boarding, she had texted her boyfriend that she would be home soon. Moments later, she sat across from Decarlos Brown Jr., a 34-year-old man with a long criminal record—14 prior arrests, multiple convictions for armed robbery and violent offenses—and a medical diagnosis of schizophrenia. Without warning, he pulled out a knife and stabbed her three times, including a fatal wound to her neck. She collapsed on the train. Brown fled but was arrested only minutes later. Iryna was pronounced dead at the scene.

Iryna was a daughter, a sister, a friend, and an artist. Her parents described her as a “kind and hardworking young woman, deeply loved by her family and friends.” Neighbors remembered her as warm, always smiling, and gentle with their pets. She had been pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinary assistant. Her life was full of promise, and her loss is devastating to everyone who knew her.

This tragedy raises a brutal question: how many more lives have to be lost before the government takes serious action? We need stronger police protection in public spaces, and above all, a justice system that does not allow violent repeat offenders with severe psychiatric conditions to walk free. Iryna’s death could have been prevented had her killer been behind bars or receiving mandatory treatment in a psychiatric facility.

Her story cannot be forgotten.