The family of Iryna Zarutska has initiated a lawsuit against the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, and its private transit security contractor, following her murder that captivated the nation about a year ago.
The lawsuit claims there were “systemic failures” that made the city’s light-rail system perilously vulnerable.
“This case arises from the preventable death of Iryna Zarutska,” states the wrongful-death complaint directed at the City of Charlotte and Professional Police Services Inc., which operates as Professional Security Services, or PSS. It’s worth noting that these claims have yet to be resolved in court.
According to Lauren Newton, the attorney for Zarutska’s family, this situation reflects long-standing issues within the CATS system that the city has been aware of. She previously mentioned this to WBTV.
The lawsuit contends there was no security guard present on the Lynx Blue Line train during the incident when Zarutska was tragically stabbed on August 22, 2025. It accuses PSS of not properly staffing its security personnel, both armed and unarmed.
The amended agreement between Charlotte and PSS provided for 219 security personnel for the fiscal years 2025 and 2026. However, the complaint alleges that as of Zarutska’s death, PSS had only employed 183 individuals.
Furthermore, it claims that PSS had just 11 armed guards in place when the contract allowed for up to 39.
“They weren’t fully staffed,” Newton reiterated to WBTV. “If there had been a security guard on that train, Iryna Zarutska would be here.” However, it’s important to point out that so far, her assertion about a guard preventing Zarutska’s death hasn’t been proven in court.
Keep up with developments in the tragic case of Iryna Zarutska:
The complaint also addresses issues with fare enforcement, indicating that Zarutska’s alleged assailant, Decarlos Brown Jr., had traveled on CATS transportation without paying prior to the incident.
It notes that there were no physical barriers in place to stop non-ticketed riders from using the light rail system.
“There’s been literally no fare enforcement, and those basic measures are critical for safety. There’s been none of that,” Newton stated in her comments to WBTV.
The lawsuit further alleges that both Charlotte and PSS should have recognized the Blue Line and its stations as areas where criminal happenings had occurred frequently before Zarutska’s death.
Newton expressed that “violent crime was absolutely foreseeable,” emphasizing the pattern of criminal activity in the area.
The estate is seeking claims for wrongful death, citing inadequate security and gross negligence on the part of PSS. It demands damages of over $25,000, along with punitive damages against PSS, but not against the city.
Newton previously remarked that “the family doesn’t want this to happen to anyone else’s loved one.”
Fox News Digital reached out to PSS and Newton for comments, but there was no immediate response. A representative from the City of Charlotte conveyed that the city does not comment on ongoing litigation.
