The household of Iryna Zarutska is suing the metropolis of Charlotte, North Carolina, and its personal transit safety contractor one yr after her homicide shocked the nation.

The go well with alleges “systemic failures” left the metropolis’s light-rail system dangerously weak.

“This case arises from the preventable death of Iryna Zarutska,” the wrongful-death criticism filed against the City of Charlotte and Professional Police Services Inc., doing enterprise as Professional Security Services, or PSS states. The allegations have not been adjudicated.

“What it shows is the systemic failures that have been within the CATS system for years that the city has been aware of,” Lauren Newton, an legal professional representing Zarutska’s household and property, beforehand advised WBTV.

The lawsuit alleges no safety guard was aboard the Lynx Blue Line prepare when Zarutska was fatally stabbed Aug. 22, 2025, and accuses PSS of failing to adequately workers and deploy armed and unarmed personnel.

Charlotte’s amended contract with PSS offered funding for 219 safety personnel for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, according to the criticism, which alleges PSS had employed 183 at the time of Zarutska’s killing. 

Iryna Zarutska stares at her alleged killer, Decarlos Brown Jr. after she was stabbed aboard the Charlotte Area Transit System on Aug. 22, 2025.

Iryna Zarutska’s mom, Anna Zarutska, cries as she is acknowledged by President Donald Trump during the State of the Union on Feb. 24, 2026. AP

The lawsuit further alleges PSS had only 11 armed guards despite the contract offering for up to 39 armed personnel.

“They weren’t fully staffed,” Newton advised WBTV. “If there had been a security guard on that train, Iryna Zarutska would be here.”

Her assertion that a guard would have prevented Zarutska’s loss of life has not been established in court docket.

Follow the newest on the stunning homicide of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte:

The criticism also takes goal at fare enforcement, alleging Zarutska’s accused killer, Decarlos Brown Jr., rode CATS transportation with out paying before the attack.

It alleges there were no bodily obstacles stopping non-ticketed riders from accessing the mild rail.

“There’s been literally no fare enforcement and those things, at a basic level, are what’s necessary for safety. And there’s been none of that,” Newton advised WBTV.

Decarlos Brown Jr. was charged in the killing of Iryna Zarutska but was declared unfit to stand trial.

The lawsuit alleges no safety guard was aboard the Lynx Blue Line prepare when Zarutska was fatally stabbed Aug. 22, 2025 Instagram/ Iryna Zarutska

The lawsuit alleges Charlotte and PSS knew or should have identified about the Blue Line and its stops had repeatedly been the web site of prison exercise before Zarutska’s loss of life. 

“Violent crime was absolutely foreseeable,” Newton advised WBTV.

The property brings claims including wrongful loss of life primarily based on allegedly negligent and insufficient safety and gross negligence.

It seeks damages exceeding $25,000 and punitive damages against PSS, but not against Charlotte.

“The family doesn’t want this to happen to anyone else’s loved one,” Newton beforehand advised WBTV.

Fox News Digital individually reached out to PSS and Newton for remark but did not obtain rapid responses.

The City of Charlotte knowledgeable Fox News Digital it does not present remark on energetic litigation.