Ukrainian Refugee Sitting on N.C. Train Is Fatally Stabbed in Unprovoked Attack, ‘Appalled’ Gov. Reacts to Horrific Video

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein wrote on social media that he was “appalled” by the newly released footage showing last month’s fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte light rail train.

“I’m heartbroken for the family of Iryna Zarutska, who lost their loved one to this senseless act of violence,” Stein said in a post on X Monday, Sept. 8. “We need more cops on the beat to keep people safe.”

The surveillance footage of the horrific attack was released by the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) over the weekend, FOX News reported.

The attack occurred on Aug. 22, shortly before 10 p.m. on the Lynx Blue Line.

According to an affidavit obtained by ABC News, Zarutska was sitting in an aisle seat directly in front of her attacker when “the suspect pulls a knife out of his pocket, unfolds the knife, pauses, then stands up, and strikes at the victim three times.”

“Blood visibly drips on the floor as the defendant walks away from the victim. The victim goes unresponsive shortly after the attack,” the affidavit states, per CNN.

Before the incident, there “appears to be no interaction between the victim and defendant,” per CNN.

Decarlos Brown, Jr., 34, was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the attack on Aug. 28, per WBTV.

According to her obituary, Zarutska, an artist from Kyiv, emigrated to the U.S. with her mother, sister and brother “to escape the war, and she quickly embraced her new life in the United States.”

“She dreamed of pursuing a career as a Veterinary Assistant while also working toward her independence by learning to drive,” the obituary read.

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According to CNN, Brown was previously convicted of armed robbery, felony larceny and breaking and entering. His mother told the outlet that he was experiencing homelessness and had suffered from mental health issues.

Gov. Stein has since said his budget plan calls for “more funding to hire more well-trained police officers.”

“I call upon the legislature to pass my law enforcement recruitment and retention package to address vacancies in our state and local agencies so they can stop these horrific crimes and hold violent criminals accountable,” he said in his post.