NC Republicans Escalate Blame Game Over Charlotte Light-Rail Stabbing, Democrats Accuse Politicization

North Carolina Republicans held a fiery news conference on September 10, 2025, doubling down on accusations that Democratic “woke” policies and lenient crime enforcement are directly responsible for the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light-rail train last month. The highly politicized response comes as Democrats, including former Governor Roy Cooper and current Governor Josh Stein, forcefully pushed back, accusing the GOP of exploiting a tragedy for political gain.

Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, was tragically stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack on the Lynx Blue Line in August. Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, was arrested on August 22 in connection with her death and faces an impending court date later this month. Brown has a prior criminal record, including a five-year prison sentence for robbery with a dangerous weapon.

During the recent news conference, Mecklenburg County Republican Party Chairman Kyle Kirby explicitly stated, “Iryna Zarutska died because of the Democrat policies in Charlotte-Mecklenburg,” citing “woke” policies and specifically mentioning cashless bail, despite North Carolina not having such a system. State Republican Party Chairman Jason Simmons echoed these sentiments, claiming Democrats “have chosen to side with criminals” and contribute to a “crime epidemic” through “weak on crime policies.” Republican lawmakers are also calling for the removal of Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes, alleging she failed to hold Brown accountable in past incidents by releasing him on a written promise.

Democratic leaders have swiftly condemned the Republican stance. Former Governor Roy Cooper, now running for Senate in 2026, criticized the GOP for using Zarutska’s death for “political points,” appearing to target his opponent, Michael Whatley, who he accused of supporting cuts to law enforcement funding. Governor Josh Stein, meanwhile, called for increased police enforcement, advocating for more funding to hire well-trained officers and urging the legislature to pass his law enforcement recruitment and retention package.

The debate has even drawn national attention, with former President Donald Trump weighing in earlier this week to demand the death penalty for Brown, aligning with his broader push for tougher crime policies nationwide.

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