Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, was charged with the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska.

A North Carolina man charged in the stabbing death of a 23-year-old woman on a Charlotte light rail train last month is now facing a federal charge.

A North Carolina man charged in the stabbing death of a 23-year-old woman on a Charlotte light rail train last month is now facing a federal charge.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — President Donald Trump is demanding the suspect who was charged for fatally stabbing a Ukrainian woman on a Charlotte light rail be “awarded THE DEATH PENALTY.”

“The ANIMAL who so violently killed the beautiful young lady from Ukraine, who came to America searching for peace and safety, should be given a ‘Quick’ (there is no doubt!) Trial, and only awarded THE DEATH PENALTY. There can be no other option!!!” Trump said in a social media post on Wednesday.

Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, who was arrested on Aug. 22 after he fatally stabbed 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, was charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of North Carolina with committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system, which could make him eligible for the death penalty, the Department of Justice said Tuesday.

“This brutal attack on an innocent woman simply trying to get to her destination is an attack on the American way of life. Of course, crimes like this affect the victim the most — Iryna deserves justice, and we will bring justice to her and her family,” U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson said in a statement on Tuesday.

There was no apparent interaction between Brown and Zarutska before the unprovoked stabbing, officials said.

On Sept. 10, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed in front of a large audience of college students in Orem, Utah. A coward with a bolt action rifle shot the 31-year-old from what university officials believed to be 200 yards away. 

At the time I am writing this, we don’t know a ton about Kirk’s killing, but that hasn’t stopped plenty on the left from victim blaming and using his death to advance their own political message. 

It’s been horrible and infuriating to watch how quickly the hateful messages became a social media flurry.

Left-wing activists blame Charlie Kirk for his own death

I’ve seen countless instances of the following Kirk quote circulating online:Looking for a free mini puzzle? Play the USA TODAY Quick Cross now.

By Mark Creech, Op-ed Contributor Tuesday, April 09, 2024

There’s a charming old tale about three pastors hailing from the American South who found themselves sharing lunch at a quaint diner.

One of the pastors spoke up, a furrow of concern etched on his brow. “You know, ever since summer descended upon us, I’ve been grappling with a rather vexing issue at my church. Bats — countless bats — have taken up residence in our loft and attic. I’ve exhausted every conceivable method to rid ourselves of them — noise, sprays, traps, even enlisted the help of felines — but alas, they persist.”

A sympathetic nod passed among the trio as another pastor chimed in, his burden carried a similar tone. “Indeed, I share your plight. Our belfry and attic are overrun with bats numbering in the hundreds. I’ve resorted to extreme measures, even resorting to fumigation, yet they remain undeterred in their residency.”

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Then came the third pastor, a twinkle in his eye betrayed a hint of mischief. “Ah, well, I took a rather unconventional approach with the bats that plagued the heights of our church,” he said. “I performed baptisms on them, and since then, they only grace us with their presence during Christmas and Easter.”

Concerns about regular church attendance have always challenged most faith leaders. However, according to a recent Gallup poll, a decline in consistent church attendance is at an all-time low. The survey, conducted from 2021 to 2023 with over 32,000 participants, reveals that only 30% of U.S. adults are steady in their church attendance. Protestant churches and non-denominational groups were among the highest at 44%, while Catholics were at 33%.

Notably, there has been a significant drop over the past two decades, particularly among Catholics, whose regular attendance fell by a whopping 12%. The decline is attributed largely to the rise in Americans with no religious affiliation, which more than doubled from 9% to 21%.