A suspect accused of fatally stabbing a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee aboard a light rail train in Charlotte has been found mentally unfit to stand trial, according to published reports.

The New York Post, citing a motion filed Tuesday, reported that Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, underwent evaluation at a state psychiatric hospital in December and was determined unable to proceed with his state murder case.
Brown’s defense attorney sought a 180-day postponement of a scheduled competency hearing, a request prosecutors did not oppose, the outlet said.

Brown was charged in connection with the August 2025 killing of Iryna Zarutska, who had escaped the war in Ukraine and was working to rebuild her life in the United States. Authorities have said she was attacked while riding home on Charlotte’s light rail system.

The case gained widespread attention after surveillance footage appeared to show the suspect repeatedly stabbing Zarutska from behind while she was seated on the train. He was taken into custody soon after the incident.

In addition to the state case, Brown is also facing a federal charge alleging he committed an act of violence on a mass transportation system resulting in death, a charge that carries the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty.

If a judge ultimately determines that Brown is incompetent, the state murder proceedings could be suspended or dismissed, though charges may be refiled if he is later found capable of standing trial. Court actions are generally put on hold until a defendant’s competency is restored.

Officials have said that restoring competency can take months or longer, partly because of limited capacity in psychiatric treatment facilities.

Zarutska, who had relocated to the United States, was remembered by loved ones and members of her community as a young woman in search of safety and new opportunities after fleeing violence in her homeland.