Democrat Deborah Ross from North Carolina issued an apology after mistakenly mixing up two murder victims during a hearing, which took place in front of the father of one of the victims.
Logan Federico, age 22, was tragically shot during a home invasion on May 3rd, while visiting a Democratic leader in Columbia, South Carolina. A report indicated that a picture of Federico was shown during a House Judiciary Committee session focusing on “Victims of Violent Crimes” in Charlotte, where Ross incorrectly identified him as 23-year-old Ukrainian victim Irina Zaltzka.
Alexander Dicky, 30, has been charged with Federico’s murder. Allegedly, on that night, he broke into Federico’s home after stealing a car. Investigators stated he was found with a wallet, car keys, and a gun, and he reportedly shot Federico upon entering the residence next door.
During the hearing, Steve Federico witnessed Ross wrongly identify the photo of his son as Zaltzka’s.
Ross expressed her condolences to Zaltzka’s family, calling her murder “senseless” and mentioning the family’s desire to honor her memory based on her final moments. She then pointed to a photograph of Logan Federico and observed, “It’s heartbreaking to see her image displayed like that.”
As Ross criticized lawmakers for their approach to crime prevention and mental health care, Steve Federico intervened, stressing, “This is Logan, correct? This is my son.”
This is Logan Federico.
He was murdered while he was sleeping by a repeat offender.
We will remember him.
– Rep. Mark Harris (@RepMarkHarrisnc)
“I’m truly sorry,” Ross repeatedly replied after Federico expressed his anger.
“Thank you for being here… I appreciate it. Really, I’m sorry,” she continued.
“You shouldn’t forget him,” Steve Federico remarked.
Ross then responded, looking directly at him, “We should have taken steps to prevent both Logan’s and Irina’s deaths. I’m very sorry.”
North Carolina Republican Rep. Mark Harris commented on the incident, highlighting the “sad reality” of violent crimes. He pointed out that Iryna is just one of many victims, mentioning the confusion between her and Logan, the son of the eyewitness Steve Federico.
A representative from the House noted that Steve Federico was indeed known to them.
According to sources, Dicky had a troubled past with the law, having faced several charges since August 2014, including serious robbery offenses that carried lengthy potential prison sentences.
In October, he was served a warrant for third-degree robbery, and later pleaded guilty to a non-violent robbery, avoiding prison through probation.
@RepMarkHarrisnc will discuss crime investigations in a Democratic-controlled city at a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Charlotte.
– Ashley Brasfield (@brasfieldashley)
By March of 2015, Dicky had faced multiple robbery charges, although one was dismissed. He pleaded guilty to another robbery charge.
In 2023, he admitted guilt to yet another third-degree robbery, intertwining his criminal background with an incident involving Irina Zalzka, who was reportedly stabbed in Charlotte by DeCarlos Brown, 34, on August 22nd.
