Community Honors Iryna Zarutska With Vigil & Memorial at Light Rail Station

Source: Anadolu / Getty

A growing memorial continues to build at Charlotte’s East-West Boulevard station, where 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska was fatally stabbed in August. Flowers, candles, and personal messages now cover the platform where she was tragically killed.

On Friday, community members gathered at Marshall Park to remember Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who came to Charlotte to flee from Ukrainian violence.

Supporters described her as hardworking and kind. She balanced full-time work at a local pizza shop with college classes to improve her English, all while pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian.

The attack has placed Charlotte’s transit safety under heavy scrutiny. In the weeks since her death, CATS has boosted security and added more patrols along the Blue Line.

Zarutska’s family says those steps are necessary but should have been implemented earlier, stressing the need for long-term changes to protect riders.

 Memorial Honors Iryna Zarutska

1. Memorial of the 23 years old Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, USA – SEPTEMBER 11: A view of the memorial dedicated to slained 23 years old Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska at the East/West Blvd lightrail station in Charlotte NC, United States on September 11, 2025. Surveillance video footage of the Aug. 22 fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska was released as the case garnered national attention. It appears to depict Zarutska getting on a train before taking a seat in front of another passenger. After some time elapses, the other individual opens a knife, stands up and stabs Zarutska. (Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images) color image,photography,horizontal,usa,station,20-24 years,flower,memorial,social issues,violence,charlotte – north carolina,lightrail,knife crime,temporary memorial,2025

2. Memorial For 23-year-old Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska In Charlotte, North Carolina

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 11: A view of the memorial dedicated to slain 23-year-old Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska at the East/West Blvd light rail station in Charlotte NC, United States on September 11, 2025. Surveillance video footage of the Aug. 22 fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska was released as the case garnered national attention. It appears to depict Zarutska getting on a train before taking a seat in front of another passenger. After some time elapses, the other individual opens a knife, stands up and stabs Zarutska. (Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images) photography,horizontal,usa,station,flower,memorial,social issues,violence,charlotte – north carolina,lightrail,knife crime,temporary memorial,2025

3. Memorial of the 23 years old Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, USA – SEPTEMBER 11: A view of the memorial dedicated to slained 23 years old Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska at the East/West Blvd lightrail station in Charlotte NC, United States on September 11, 2025. Surveillance video footage of the Aug. 22 fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska was released as the case garnered national attention. It appears to depict Zarutska getting on a train before taking a seat in front of another passenger. After some time elapses, the other individual opens a knife, stands up and stabs Zarutska. (Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images) photography,horizontal,usa,station,20-24 years,flower,memorial,social issues,violence,charlotte – north carolina,lightrail,knife crime,temporary memorial,2025

4. Memorial of the 23 years old Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, USA – SEPTEMBER 11: Security forces take measures near the memorial dedicated to slained 23 years old Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska at the East/West Blvd lightrail station in Charlotte NC, United States on September 11, 2025. Surveillance video footage of the Aug. 22 fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska was released as the case garnered national attention. It appears to depict Zarutska getting on a train before taking a seat in front of another passenger. After some time elapses, the other individual opens a knife, stands up and stabs Zarutska. (Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images) color image,photography,horizontal,usa,station,20-24 years,flower,memorial,social issues,military,violence,charlotte – north carolina,lightrail,knife crime,temporary memorial,train – vehicle,stabbing,2025

5. Memorial of the 23 years old Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, USA – SEPTEMBER 11: Security forces take measures near the memorial dedicated to slained 23 years old Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska at the East/West Blvd lightrail station in Charlotte NC, United States on September 11, 2025. Surveillance video footage of the Aug. 22 fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska was released as the case garnered national attention. It appears to depict Zarutska getting on a train before taking a seat in front of another passenger. After some time elapses, the other individual opens a knife, stands up and stabs Zarutska. (Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images) photography,horizontal,usa,station,20-24 years,flower,memorial,social issues,military,violence,charlotte – north carolina,lightrail,knife crime,temporary memorial,2025

6. US-POLITICS-BRIEFING-LEAVITT

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks alongside a photo of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, who was allegedly killed by Decarlos Brown Jr., on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, during a press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, September 9, 2025. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

7. Memorial of the 23 years old Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, USA – SEPTEMBER 11: A view of the memorial dedicated to slained 23 years old Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska at the East/West Blvd lightrail station in Charlotte NC, United States on September 11, 2025. Surveillance video footage of the Aug. 22 fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska was released as the case garnered national attention. It appears to depict Zarutska getting on a train before taking a seat in front of another passenger. After some time elapses, the other individual opens a knife, stands up and stabs Zarutska. (Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images) photography,horizontal,usa,station,20-24 years,flower,memorial,social issues,violence,charlotte – north carolina,lightrail,knife crime,temporary memorial,2025

8. Memorial of the 23 years old Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, USA – SEPTEMBER 11: A view of the memorial dedicated to slained 23 years old Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska at the East/West Blvd lightrail station in Charlotte NC, United States on September 11, 2025. Surveillance video footage of the Aug. 22 fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska was released as the case garnered national attention. It appears to depict Zarutska getting on a train before taking a seat in front of another passenger. After some time elapses, the other individual opens a knife, stands up and stabs Zarutska. (Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images) photography,horizontal,usa,station,20-24 years,flower,memorial,social issues,violence,charlotte – north carolina,lightrail,knife crime,temporary memorial,2025

9. Memorial of the 23 years old Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, USA – SEPTEMBER 11: A view of the memorial dedicated to slained 23 years old Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska at the East/West Blvd lightrail station in Charlotte NC, United States on September 11, 2025. Surveillance video footage of the Aug. 22 fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska was released as the case garnered national attention. It appears to depict Zarutska getting on a train before taking a seat in front of another passenger. After some time elapses, the other individual opens a knife, stands up and stabs Zarutska. (Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images) photography,horizontal,usa,station,20-24 years,flower,memorial,social issues,violence,charlotte – north carolina,lightrail,knife crime,temporary memorial,2025

10. Memorial of the 23 years old Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, USA – SEPTEMBER 11: A view of the memorial dedicated to slained 23 years old Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska at the East/West Blvd lightrail station in Charlotte NC, United States on September 11, 2025. Surveillance video footage of the Aug. 22 fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska was released as the case garnered national attention. It appears to depict Zarutska getting on a train before taking a seat in front of another passenger. After some time elapses, the other individual opens a knife, stands up and stabs Zarutska. (Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images) photography,horizontal,usa,station,20-24 years,flower,memorial,social issues,violence,charlotte – north carolina,lightrail,knife crime,temporary memorial,2025