A North Carolina man has been charged by the U.S. Justice Department over the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee on a commuter train, a crime that could carry the death penalty.
Decarlos Brown Jr is accused of killing 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on 22 August, in an apparently unprovoked attack captured on security footage. Brown reportedly used a pocketknife, which was later found near the train platform.
Brown, who was arrested at the scene, already faced a state charge of first-degree murder. He now faces a federal charge for causing death on a mass transportation system, which carries a possible life sentence or the death penalty.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said on X, “We will seek the maximum penalty for this unforgivable act of violence — he will never again see the light of day as a free man. I have directed my attorneys to federally prosecute DeCarlos Brown Jr., a repeat violent offender with a history of violent crime, for murder. We will seek the maximum penalty for this unforgivable act of violence — he will never again see the light of day as a free man.”
The FBI is also investigating the attack. FBI Director Kash Patel described it as a “brutal attack” and a “disgraceful act,” adding on X, “The FBI immediately surged into action to ensure justice is served and to make clear that violent criminals will never be allowed to walk free again.”
Court records show Brown has a long criminal history, including convictions for armed robbery, felony larceny, and breaking and entering. He served more than five years for robbery with a dangerous weapon. Brown also faced 14 prior cases in Mecklenburg County dating back to 2011, ranging from minor infractions such as shoplifting and speeding to more serious offenses.
Court records show Brown, has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Earlier this year, he was charged with misuse of 911 after repeatedly calling police, claiming a “man-made” material was controlling his actions. Officers told him it was a medical issue, and he was released on a written promise to appear at his next hearing.
The White House criticised his prior release, stating it left him “free to slaughter an innocent woman just months later.”
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could destroy Iran’s infrastructure “in two days,” while Tehran warned the U.S. would...
Children laughed, applauded and watched wide-eyed as animated characters lit up the screen at the opening of the ninth Animafilm International Anim...
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and will only consider negotiations if Was...
Georgia is positioning itself as a future energy bridge between the Caspian and Europe, backed by major infrastruc...
Uzbekistan’s Department for Combating Economic Crimes says it has uncovered a ...
Children laughed, applauded and watched wide-eyed as animated characters lit up the screen at the opening of the ninth Animafilm International Animation Festival in Baku, where filmmakers and audiences from around the world gathered to celebrate the growing influence of animated cinema.
Georgia is positioning itself as a future energy bridge between the Caspian and Europe, backed by major infrastructure plans and growing EU support. But behind the ambitious pitch lies a far more complicated political reality.
Uzbekistan’s Department for Combating Economic Crimes says it has uncovered a large-scale fraud and corruption scheme linked to labour migration to South Korea, with estimated damages reaching $90 million.
Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners of war as well as the bodies of fallen soldiers, on Friday (15 May). The swap came as Ukranian officials said Moscow had carried out its largest aerial attack over 48 hours since the conflict started.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and will only consider negotiations if Washington shows seriousness. His remarks came as talks on Iran’s nuclear programme continued, with Trump and Xi also opposing Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran loomed over U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China, as signs emerged that the conflict is causing a shift in alliances across the Middle East.
Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian energy facilities in recent months, amid stalled progress in peace negotiations. The strikes have targeted refineries, processing plants, pipelines and export infrastructure, causing repeated disruptions across Russia’s energy sector.
Thousands of fans turned out in Iran's capital Tehran for a massive farewell ceremony on Wednesday night for their national football team, wishing them success before their departure for the World Cup 2026 matches co-hosted by the United States and Mexico.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was fighting for his political survival on Thursday (14 May) after Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned, saying he had “lost confidence” in Starmer’s leadership.
China has launched the world’s first experiment to study how artificial human embryos develop in space, marking a major step in understanding whether humans could one day reproduce beyond Earth.
Every day, an elderly woman in China’s Shandong province looks forward to a video call from her son. He asks about her health, tells her he has been busy with work, and promises he will come home once he has saved enough money. She tells him she misses him. He tells her to take care of herself.
Deep in the ancient forests of southern China, researchers have discovered a small, shy snake with an extraordinary survival trick: when threatened, it creates the illusion that it has two heads.
Egyptian authorities have unveiled two restored ancient tombs in Luxor alongside a rare artefact linked to King Tutankhamun, offering visitors new insight into life and burial practices during the New Kingdom more than 3,000 years ago.
A U.S. Department of Justice official said Washington was preparing to indict former Cuban president Raúl Castro in connection with the 1996 downing of aircraft operated by "Brothers to the Rescue", a Miami-based exile group that conducted search-and-rescue flights for Cuban migrants.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment