Iryna Zarutska Obituary, Death;- At Monday night’s meeting, multiple Charlotte City Council members demanded action following a fatal stabbing of a 23-year-old woman on a light rail train.

Iryna Zarutska was stabbed to death Friday night on a LYNX Blue Line train in South End. Loved ones say Zarutska recently fled Ukraine and came to Charlotte seeking peace and new beginnings.

Investigators have identified 34-year-old Decarlos Brown as the suspect. He is charged with first-degree murder and will be arrested once he is released from the hospital.

“I’ve heard from several constituents regarding how they’re afraid to ride our public buses, especially after recent violent incidents,” At-Large Council member Dimple Ajmera said. “We cannot let fear drive people away, so I would like [the] city manager to provide us immediate steps that are being taken to ensure the safety of our riders, our operators, and to restore the confidence in our system.”

Council member Edwin Peacock, who was appointed to represent District 6 for the remainder of the term, also questioned the “gap period” law enforcement is in.

“We do not have a police chief that is coming in, he is going out,” he said. “Is that the cause of this? I don’t believe so. I’m not pointing a finger at CMPD. But what I do want is I want us to be proactive and not be reactive to this.”

Peacock also brought up the sales tax increase to fund light rail expansion being on the ballot in November.

“The moment that the transit system starts to become something where it’s not considered to be safe is the moment in which you begin to lose riders,” Peacock said. “You begin to lose the momentum that you want to keep, and I don’t want to see our community.”

Council member Reneé Perkins Johnson also requested an update from CATS on a recent change in their safety and security vendor.

A GoFundMe page has been started to help cover funeral expenses. Click here for more details.