Show Compassion for Man Who ‘Stabbed Ukrainian Refugee’, Says Democratic Mayor
9th September 2025
The Democratic mayor of the city where a Ukrainian refugee was allegedly stabbed to death by a known criminal has called for “compassion” for the suspect.
Vi Lyles, the mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina, said she did not want to “villianise” Decarlos Brown Jr, who is accused of murdering Iryna Zarutska, 23, in an unprovoked attack.
Ms Lyles said that Charlotte “must do better” for people like Mr Brown, who is homeless, as they “need help and have no place to go”.
The comments led to calls on social media for Ms Lyles to resign, with some branding her a “total lunatic” and calling for Donald Trump to send in the National Guard.
