The sun was setting on August 21, 2025, casting a golden hue over the backyard of a cozy duplex in Charlotte, North Carolina. The scent of blooming crepe myrtles mingled with the sizzle of barbecue on the grill and the peals of unrestrained laughter filling the air. In the midst of it all, Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, was orchestrating one last symphony of joy before tragedy would strike just 24 hours later.

Iryna, the youngest of three siblings, had become a beacon of light for everyone around her in the year since she arrived in the United States. She flitted from group to group, a bottle of cheap rosé in one hand and a plate of homemade pierogies in the other, her energy infectious and her smile bright. “She was our spark,” her best friend, Sofia Kovalenko, shared in a tribute video that has since gone viral. “That night, Iryna made us feel invincible—like nothing could touch us. If only we’d known…”

Those words, spoken by Sofia, reflect the sense of camaraderie and joy Iryna brought to every room she entered. Yet, in a cruel twist of fate, just hours after this radiant gathering, Iryna’s life would be stolen in a senseless act of violence on a light rail train. Sofia’s video captures her final moments—a reminder of the extraordinary young woman she was and a testament to the strength of her spirit, even in the face of exile and uncertainty.

Iryna’s journey to that final, carefree day was far from simple. Born on May 22, 2002, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Iryna grew up in a modest apartment overlooking the Dnipro River. Her father, Stanislav Zarutskyi, a mechanic and commander in the U.S. Navy Medical Service Corps, instilled in her a sense of duty and honor. Her mother, Anna Zarutska, a seamstress, offered a warm, nurturing balance. Together, they raised Iryna and her siblings—Valeriia (18) and Bohdan (15)—in a home steeped in love, family, and the traditions of their Ukrainian heritage.

From a young age, Iryna’s natural talent for art was apparent. She excelled academically and grew up immersed in the vibrant culture of Kyiv—street markets, folk festivals, and the hum of the city served as a backdrop to her creative spirit. She graduated from Synergy College in 2022 with a degree in Art and Restoration, her canvases alive with depictions of Ukrainian sunflowers, blue-and-yellow ribbons, and the resilience of her homeland. “She saw magic in the mundane,” her uncle Mykola Zarutsky said, remembering her works, her ability to find beauty in the ordinary.

But in February 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, everything changed. The war quickly turned Iryna’s world upside down. Their once-bustling city became a battleground. The loud echoes of explosions filled the air as air raid drills became part of daily life. Iryna’s father, Stanislav, was called to serve in the territorial defense at the age of 48. “Go,” he told his family on one harrowing morning. “I’ll hold here. Live for us.” With a heavy heart, Iryna, her mother, and her siblings boarded a train westward to safety, leaving behind a life they’d known.

After arriving in the U.S., the Zarutska family settled in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity helped them adjust. It wasn’t easy, but they found comfort in each other and in their new community. Iryna threw herself into her new life—working at the Silver Arts Senior Center, providing gentle care to the elderly. She then moved on to a job at Zepeddie’s Pizzeria, where her talent for making dough was only rivaled by her infectious laughter.

At the same time, Iryna pursued her dreams of becoming a veterinary technician. She enrolled at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, balancing art classes with her work and passion for animals. Her Instagram became a visual diary, a place to share her triumphs and milestones: “From Kyiv chaos to Charlotte calm—grateful for every slice 🇺🇦❤️🇺🇸.”

But it wasn’t just her career that flourished in her new life; Iryna also created lasting friendships, the most significant being with Sofia Kovalenko. The two met through their church in Charlotte and quickly became inseparable. They shared countless moments together—late-night FaceTimes, thrift-shopping sprees, road trips to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and volunteering at the SPCA. Iryna’s energy was a balm for Sofia’s homesickness, and their bond grew stronger with each passing day.

On that fateful day in August, Iryna invited Sofia over for a spontaneous house party. The day began with a simple text from Sofia: “Bored. Pierogies?” Iryna’s reply was enthusiastic: “YES! My place, 4pm. Bring the bad vodka 😂.” The afternoon unfolded into a whirlwind of laughter, dancing, and cooking. Iryna took over the kitchen, rolling dough with precision while belting out songs from her favorite Ukrainian band, Okean Elzy. Friends streamed in—three coworkers from the pizzeria, two college art buddies, and even Iryna’s siblings, Valeriia and Bohdan, who took charge of the playlist. The backyard, a small patch of green framed by chain-link fencing and crepe myrtles, transformed into a vibrant gathering place, complete with a kiddie pool and folding chairs.

Sofia’s tribute video captures the joy of that evening in vivid detail: Iryna flipping pierogies with flair, laughing uncontrollably as she cannonballed into the pool, and later, dancing with friends under the stars. It was a night of pure, unadulterated joy—spontaneous, lighthearted, and filled with the warmth of friendship and family. “She was the glue,” Sofia said in her video. “That night, we felt unbreakable.”

As the night wound down, Iryna embraced her friends, the joy of the evening still radiating from her. She texted her mother goodnight and, exhausted but content, went to bed. The next day, she would attend art class and then work her shift at Zepeddie’s, just another ordinary day. But in a tragic twist, at 7:00 p.m. on August 22, Iryna boarded the Lynx Blue Line train at 7th Street Station, unaware that a man named Decarlos Brown Jr. would bring her life to a violent end. Brown, armed with a knife, attacked Iryna, striking her in the neck with brutal force. The attack was quick, but the consequences were irreversible. Iryna was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead by 10:05 p.m.

News of her death sent shockwaves through Charlotte and beyond. As her story spread across social media, millions of people expressed their outrage and sorrow. Hashtags like #JusticeForIryna began trending, and vigils were held at every Lynx train station. The senselessness of her death, coupled with the hateful symbol on the knife used in the attack, raised questions about how hate and violence have taken root in society.

Iryna’s funeral, held on September 8, 2025, was a bittersweet celebration of her life. Friends and family gathered to honor her memory, with more than 300 mourners attending. Her mother, Anna, gave a tearful eulogy, while Iryna’s uncle, Mykola, shared memories of her childhood in Kyiv. The GoFundMe for Iryna’s family raised over $300,000, providing scholarships and financial support for her loved ones. Zepeddie’s honored her with a special pierogi dish, with proceeds going to the SPCA in her name.

Sofia’s tribute video, now viewed millions of times, continues to spread Iryna’s story of resilience and joy. “She was the light,” Sofia says, her voice filled with love and sorrow. “We’ll remember her as the spark, the heart of our little family.”

Iryna’s life was short, but it was filled with purpose, love, and light. She may have been taken too soon, but the impact she had on those around her will never fade. In the wake of tragedy, Iryna Zarutska’s legacy is one of joy, hope, and resilience—a reminder that, even in the darkest times, joy can still shine brightly.