Ukrainian refugee Iryna's murder inside light metro; Surveillance visuals out

WASHINGTON: The surveillance visuals of a man stabbing a Ukrainian woman on the light rail surfaced on Friday. 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska sought asylum in the US to escape from the throes of war in Ukraine, only to be stabbed to death by a stranger.

The brutal incident happened at the busy East/West Boulevard light rail station near Camden Road in the South End.

In the visuals, Iryna can be seen skimming on her phone and checking updates, while the assailant, seated just behind her, pulls out a knife.

Decarlos Brown, 34, the assailant, was arrested shortly after the incident, and he has been charged with first-degree murder. Brown and Iryna did not know each other, and the crime is supposed to be an act committed at whim.

Brown is a history-sheeter, being involved in cases since 2011. He was formerly charged with robbery and for brandishing weapons in public. All charges were later dropped.

Iryna's cold murder evoked an outcry from citizens, as many deemed the light rail unsafe to be used by commuters at night. Many even pleaded with the authorities to do the necessary to prevent such crimes in future.