U.S. Attorney Denies Political Motives in Murder Case
During a press conference on Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Las Ferguson of the Western District of North Carolina firmly rejected the notion that federal charges against the murderer of a Ukrainian refugee were politically motivated.
The incident involved Iryna Zarutska, who was fatally attacked on August 22 while aboard a Charlotte Light Rail train. The suspect, DeCarlos Brown, has an extensive criminal background, facing numerous charges related to his past actions. Ferguson indicated that his office would expedite the case, indicating that there might be a hate crime charge added to the terrorism-related accusations. When asked about the potential political implications, he insisted that there was nothing political about the situation, emphasizing the need to communicate with Zarutska’s family. “This is a heinous crime, and we’re going to address it,” he stated.
Ferguson was clear: “I don’t see how this could be viewed as political.” He questioned the idea of any political agenda behind the crime, asserting that there should be no tolerance for acts of violence on public transportation.
James Barnacle, the FBI Special Agent in charge of the Charlotte Field Office, echoed Ferguson’s sentiments. He emphasized that the FBI has shifted its priorities under Director Kash Patel to tackle violent crime influenced by cartels and local gangs. “No one can deny that this woman was brutally murdered on the train,” Barnacle said, affirming the agency’s commitment to seeking justice.
Patel described the attack on Zarutska as an “dishonorable act” and reaffirmed that the FBI acted swiftly to ensure that violent offenders would be held accountable. He also acknowledged President Trump’s commitment to enhancing security in American cities.
In related comments, Attorney General Pam Bondy stated that federal prosecutors would pursue the maximum penalties, potentially even the death penalty, for Brown, a repeat violent offender. She highlighted the tragedy of Zarutska’s murder as a failure of lenient policies that prioritize criminals over innocent lives.
