It has been one year since Iryna Zarutska was murdered on a light rail train in Charlotte while she was coming home from work. Her attacker, Decarlos Brown Jr was charged in her death, but her family said criminal charges are not enough.
The family's attorney said they are seeking accountability beyond the criminal justice system, and focusing on city staffing and policies.
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The attorney announced plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Charlotte. The lawsuit states that the city is responsible for negligence regarding low security and failing to enforce ticket requirements.
They claim Zarutska's death was preventable and that with adequate security guards on the train and its surrounding platform she would still be alive today. The 33-page complaint accuses the city of failing to protect her, despite a history of violence on the transit system.
The family is seeking monetary damages, and they said they hope this lawsuit brings security changes to the Charlotte light rail system.
In June, a judge ruled Brown incompetent to stand trial due to mental illness.
How things are (or aren't) different a year later
The story brings plenty of safety concerns to the forefront for public transportation. Willie Bunch, who regularly uses the GoRaleigh bus station, said the crime felt especially personal.
“I can relate to that accident," Bunch said. "And I said, Oh, my god. And she was only doing what, like I was saying, going to where she needed to go. Not bothering a soul.”
Montio Evans, another veteran commuter who overcame his own struggles with drug abuse and the law, shared his concerns. He said he doesn't feel any safer while traveling.
“I see mental illness, I see substance abuse, I see law enforcement just stand by and watch it happen,” Evans said. "At any given moment, anything can happen."
Earlier this week, the City of Raleigh announced the closing of a breezeway near the downtown GoRaleigh bus station to address safety concerns. A fence is expected to be posted by Aug. 25.
North Carolina lawmakers passed Iryna's Law last September, which redefined certain violent offenses, placed bail limits for people charged with violent offenses, and ended cashless bond releases in certain circumstances.
In a recent report from the North Carolina State Auditor's Office, Charlotte residents say there are still apparent safety gaps noticable to transit riders and there has not been enough progress made since Zarutska's death.