A devastating murder on public transit has ignited a firestorm, as North Carolina Republicans, led by Rep. Mark Harris, demand the removal of Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes for releasing the accused killer months earlier, as Breitbart reports.

The uproar centers on the brutal stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska by DeCarlos Brown Jr. on Charlotte’s Lynx Blue Line light rail on Aug. 22, fueling national anger, debates over court rulings, and concerns about transit safety.

This tragic story unfolded after Judge Stokes made a pivotal decision in January to release Brown following his arrest for misusing the 911 emergency line.

A fatal decision with lasting impact

Brown, a 34-year-old with over a dozen prior charges, later became the prime suspect in the horrifying act that took place last month.

Security cameras recorded him attacking Zarutska, stabbing her three times in the throat while on the light rail, resulting in her death.

Authorities swiftly arrested Brown, charging him with first-degree murder for the violent crime.

Refugee's tragic end sparks outrage

Zarutska, who escaped the war in Ukraine due to Russia’s invasion, was to be buried in the United States, her family has confirmed.

Her untimely death has stirred intense reactions, with Rep. Harris criticizing Judge Stokes’ handling of release laws as a sign she may not be suited for her role.

Harris further questioned whether Stokes is still deciding other cases despite what he sees as a loss of public trust.

Political leaders demand swift accountability

The full North Carolina Republican delegation has backed Harris in seeking Stokes’ dismissal, intensifying the push for consequences.

President Donald Trump denounced the murder, calling Brown an “ANIMAL” and demanding a fast trial with the death penalty as the only acceptable outcome.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi added that her office is committed to pursuing the harshest punishment possible for what she termed an “unforgivable crime.”

Transit safety draws federal scrutiny

FBI Director Kash Patel labeled the attack a shameful event that should never occur on American soil, reflecting widespread dismay.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy slammed local officials for lenient crime policies that he says put riders at risk, stating that cities failing to secure transit don’t deserve public funding.

Duffy also revealed plans for a federal probe into Charlotte’s transit network, examining safety measures, crime prevention strategies, and how security budgets are allocated, while vowing a thorough government response.