The family of Iryna Zarutska has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Charlotte, North Carolina, and its private transit security contractor, Professional Security Services (PSS), alleging systemic failures in the city’s light-rail system contributed to her fatal stabbing on August 22, 2025.
The lawsuit, filed one year after the incident, claims no security guard was present on the Lynx Blue Line train where Zarutska was killed. It also accuses PSS of understaffing and inadequate deployment of armed personnel, despite a contract requiring up to 39 armed guards—of which only 11 were hired at the time of the attack. The complaint further alleges the transit system was operating with 183 security personnel against a contracted 219, and raises concerns about fare enforcement and physical barriers.
Key Allegations
The lawsuit centers on three primary claims:
- Insufficient security staffing: PSS failed to meet the contracted number of 219 security personnel for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, employing only 183 at the time of the attack.
- Lack of armed personnel: Despite a contract provision for up to 39 armed guards, PSS had only 11 deployed.
- Fare enforcement and barriers: The complaint suggests Zarutska’s accused killer, Decarlos Brown Jr., had ridden without paying prior to the attack, and alleges there were no physical barriers preventing the assault.
Legal and Contractual Background
The lawsuit asserts that the City of Charlotte’s amended contract with PSS, covering fiscal years 2025 and 2026, allocated funding for 219 security personnel, including up to 39 armed guards. However, the complaint states PSS had not met these staffing levels at the time of Zarutska’s death. The allegations have not been adjudicated in court.
Attorneys for Zarutska’s family, including Lauren Newton, have stated that the case highlights long-standing vulnerabilities in the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS). Newton previously told WBTV that the city was aware of these issues for years. The lawsuit seeks damages but does not specify an amount.
Broader Implications for Transit Security
The lawsuit raises questions about transit safety protocols and the role of private security contractors in public transportation systems. It also intersects with ongoing debates about fare enforcement policies and whether physical barriers could mitigate violent incidents on public transit.
The accused killer, Decarlos Brown Jr., has been ruled incompetent to stand trial and is not currently facing the death penalty. The case has drawn national attention, prompting a federal investigation into another transit system following a separate fatal stabbing in Atlanta’s MARTA system.
Next Steps
The lawsuit remains in the pre-trial phase, with no court dates scheduled. The City of Charlotte and PSS have not publicly responded to the allegations. Legal experts note that the case could set precedents for transit security liability and contractual compliance in public-private partnerships.