The murder of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee fatally stabbed on a Charlotte light rail train, has sparked sweeping criminal justice reform named in her honor, which has been signed into law.
On Friday, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein approved House Bill 307, officially dubbed “Iryna’s Law," per the New York Post.
The legislation aims to overhaul aspects of the justice system, especially regarding violent offenders and mental health evaluations, while controversially opening the door to capital punishment by firing squad — a move that could directly affect Zarutska’s accused killer.
The Shocking Crime That Changed the Law
Zarutska, who fled war-torn Ukraine for safety in the U.S., was brutally murdered in August 2025 while riding a light rail train in Charlotte.
Surveillance footage showed her sitting quietly before 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr., a stranger, stood up from behind her and stabbed her multiple times in a sudden, unprovoked attack.
Her family released a heart-wrenching statement in the days after her death: “We are heartbroken beyond words. Iryna came here to find peace and safety, and instead her life was stolen from her in the most horrific way. No family should have to go through this,” they said, via WSOC-9.
The Justice Department later filed federal charges against Brown, since the crime took place on a public transportation system. He now faces both state and federal charges — and if convicted, he could be sentenced to death.
A Repeat Offender Released Again — Until It Was Too Late
The killing of Zarutska stunned the public not just for its brutality, but for what many see as the systemic failure that allowed it to happen.
Brown had been arrested 14 times before the murder. Despite a known history of schizophrenia and criminal behavior, a magistrate judge released him earlier this year on cashless bail, a move Zarutska’s family believes led directly to her death.
Even Brown’s brother, Jeremiah Brown, acknowledged that something should have been done.
“I think they could have pretty much prevented it then,” he said, referring to the judge’s decision.
“I hope they get the support they need.”
Jeremiah also stressed that while his brother needed mental health care, accountability was essential: “He could do it again. I think he should suffer the consequences.”
What “Iryna’s Law” Changes in North Carolina
- House Bill 307 brings multiple reforms. Among the most impactful:
- Judges must now give special scrutiny to violent offenders when setting bail.
- Cashless bail will be restricted for certain crimes.
- Mental health evaluations may become mandatory if a defendant has been involuntarily committed within the past three years.
- Death penalty appeals must be heard within two years of filing.
- And, most notably, it introduces the possibility of execution by firing squad, reviving a method not used in North Carolina for more than 200 years.
Could a Firing Squad Be Used on Zarutska’s Killer?
The new law paves the way for North Carolina to resume executions after a pause since 2006, potentially allowing firing squads if lethal injection isn’t possible.
This has added fuel to the debate around capital punishment — especially as Brown could face the death penalty if found guilty.
“House Bill 307, or ‘Iryna’s Law,’ alerts the judiciary to take a special look at people who may pose unusual risks of violence before determining their bail. That’s a good thing and why I have signed it into law,” Governor Stein said.
But Stein, a Democrat and former state attorney general, drew the line on one controversial element.
“There will be no firing squads in North Carolina during my time as governor,” he insisted.