The man accused of fatally stabbing a Ukrainian woman on a light rail train in North Carolina has been indicted on a new charge that could see him face the death penalty if convicted.
Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, was charged earlier this week in federal district court with violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death, NBC News reported.
Jurors agreed that Brown “intentionally killed” Iryna Zarutska on Aug. 22 while she rode the Lynx Blue Line in Charlotte. She had just finished her shift at a local pizzeria and “texted her boyfriend that she would be home soon” just before she was killed, her family has said.
Video of the attack shows 23-year-old Zarutska entering a train car and taking a seat directly in front of the suspect. Just minutes later, Brown can be seen pulling a knife from his pocket and slashing at Zarutska. She then collapsed onto the floor of the train, and first responders pronounced her dead at the scene a short time later.
Brown was arrested on the outbound LYNX Blue Line platform at the station where the incident was reported.
Authorities have said there was no interaction between Brown and Zarutska prior to the stabbing.
Lauren Newton, an attorney representing the victim’s family, said in a statement Thursday that they’re “pleased with the indictment and we look forward to swift justice for Iryna,” while Brown’s attorney declined to comment on the matter.
