© EPA/ WILL OLIVER The young woman’s mother attended Trump’s address.
During his State of the Union speech to Congress, US President Donald Trump spoke of the killing of 23-year-old Ukrainian immigrant Iryna Zarutska in North Carolina. Iryna’s mom was in attendance during Trump’s address , and the US leader promised her retribution.
“Today we are honored to have with us Anna Zarutska, a woman who has endured immense suffering. In 2022, she and her lovely daughter, a remarkably beautiful young woman named Iryna, fled war-torn Ukraine to reside with family in Charlotte,” he recounted.
“Last summer, 23-year-old Irina was on her way home via train when a deranged individual, who had been arrested and set free without bail more than a dozen times, rose and viciously slashed her neck and body with a blade,” Trump detailed.
He also remarked that “no one can possibly forget the look of terror on Irina’s face as she gazed upon her assailant in the final moments of her life.”
“She escaped a savage conflict, only to be slain by a hardened criminal who was let go so he could commit murder in America. Ms. Zarutska, I pledge to you today that we will ensure justice for your wonderful daughter Irina,” the US president declared.
Iryna Zarutska, age 23, relocated to the United States after the Russian Federation launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The young lady was murdered on August 22, 2025, aboard a train in Charlotte, North Carolina, succumbing to fatal stab wounds. The alleged perpetrator of the murder, 34-year-old DeCarlos Brown, was apprehended by law enforcement almost immediately and charged with first-degree murder.
Brown has been taken into custody numerous times since 2011, including for incidents of armed robbery and threatening behavior. Trump accuses Democratic policies of enabling hazardous repeat offenders to walk free.