Possible Additional Charges for Ukrainian Refugee

U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson for the Western District of North Carolina announced on Tuesday that Irina Zaltoska, a Ukrainian refugee, might face further charges. Zaltoska was involved in an incident on August 22nd when she was stabbed on a Charlotte Light Rail train by DeCarlos Brown, a man with a significant criminal background. Ferguson indicated that his office would pursue charges against Brown more swiftly than is typical.

He highlighted that under federal law, specifically 18 USC § 1992, using dangerous weapons to cause injury or death in a mass transit setting is a serious crime. Ferguson mentioned the possibility of escalating charges if motives related to gender or race are established during the ongoing investigation. He stressed that they are committed to relying on the facts as they develop.

In footage released by the Charlotte Transit Bureau, Brown can be heard saying, “I got that white girl,” as shocking scenes from the incident unfolded.

When asked about the nature of the charges against Brown, Ferguson rejected the notion that they were politically motivated, pointing out that any implication of political significance is unfounded. He emphasized the severity of the crime and the necessity of addressing it without diverting into political discussions.

The incident gained significant attention on social media after the footage was shared. Notably, Elon Musk took to social media multiple times to comment on the situation, drawing further public interest.

Some conservatives on social platforms expressed dissatisfaction with the media coverage, contrasting it with the coverage of another recent case involving Jordan Neely, who died following a confrontation on a subway in May 2023. In Neely’s case, 24-year-old Daniel Penny faced involuntary manslaughter charges, but was acquitted by a judge in December 2024.