A distressing video has surfaced, showing the shocking moment a homeless ex-convict allegedly fatally stabbed a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee.
Irina Saltzka, who escaped the chaos of war-torn Ukraine for a new life in the U.S., was on the Lynx Blue Line shortly before 10 PM on August 22. This, as reported by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.
Surveillance footage released recently by the Charlotte Area Transit System captured Saltzka, dressed in her pizzeria uniform, looking at her phone at 9:46 PM, seemingly unaware of the lurking danger.
Just a few minutes later, 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr. approached her, brandishing a folding knife. He allegedly stabbed her in the neck multiple times.
The chilling footage appears to show Brown walking calmly through the train car, removing his sweatshirt and waiting by the door.
Saltzka reportedly clutched her neck as blood pooled on the floor, collapsing into her seat where she was later pronounced dead, according to investigators.
After the assault, police noted that Brown exited at the next station, where a folding knife was found near the platform. He had sustained a hand injury and was treated before being arrested for murder.
The police response took about six minutes, which was pointed out by Spectrum News, highlighting that a transport officer was present on the train but in another car during the attack.
Records indicate Brown had prior arrests, including a 2011 charge for first-degree murder. His criminal history features offenses such as theft and robbery involving weapons. He is reportedly homeless and previously served a five-year prison sentence for robbery.
In January, Brown was accused of misusing 911 during a police welfare check, claiming that “artificial” materials inside his body were controlling him, according to the Charlotte Observer.
In light of this tragic incident, the Charlotte Area Transit System has taken steps to enhance safety. They held a public meeting on September 2, where they announced hiring a Chief Safety and Security Officer, increasing their safety budget, and updating aging camera systems.
On September 22, the Charlotte City Council is set to discuss expanding police patrols on buses and trains. The release of the surveillance video was prompted by media requests.
A GoFundMe page established by Saltzka’s family has raised over $38,000. They expressed heartbreak over her untimely demise, stating she had recently arrived in the U.S. seeking safety from war and a fresh start.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to probe the motives behind this tragic event.
