The mother of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, who was murdered by a repeat offender out on no-cash bail in North Carolina, broke down in tears as President Trump recounted the attack during his State of the Union address.
“[Iryna’s killer] stood up and viciously slashed a knife through her neck and body. No one will ever forget, the people on that train. No one will ever forget the expression of terror on Iryna’s face as she looked up at her attacker in the last seconds of her life. She died instantly,” Trump said.
Iryna’s mother, Anna Zarutska, teared up while leaning into comfort provided by a man at her side.
“She had escaped a brutal war only to be slain by a hardened criminal, set free to kill in America,” Trump continued.
“Mrs. Zarutska, tonight I promise you that we will ensure justice for your magnificent daughter, Iryna,” the president assured, to raucous applause.
Erika Kirk, widow of slain Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, was sitting beside Anna and appeared to offer words of condolence while the man offered her a handkerchief.
During the emotional moment, Trump called out Democrats, who didn’t appear to rise for the standing ovation with Republicans.
“How do you not stand?” Trump said, gesturing toward Democrats.
Iryna, 22, was fatally stabbed by alleged schizophrenic career criminal Decarlos Brown while riding a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, in August.
Iryna’s father couldn’t attend her funeral, held in Charlotte, because he was stuck in Ukraine due to Russia’s invasion.
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Brown, 34, was arrested at least 14 times in North Carolina for crimes ranging from assault and firearms possession to felony robbery and larceny dating back to 2007.
After he was captured stabbing Iryna three times on surveillance video, at least once in the neck, the young woman collapsed in her seat while blood spilled onto the train floor.
She was pronounced dead on the train.
When he was arrested, Brown bizarrely claimed that a material placed inside his body without his “permission or authorization” controlled his actions, all the way down to what he ate, according to police body camera footage.
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein ratified “Iryna’s Law” in October, which included an amendment that could allow North Carolina to resume capital punishment, including by firing squad.
Brown was charged with violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death. He could face the death penalty if convicted.
