President Donald Trump says the suspect in Iryna Zarutska's murder should face the death penalty. (Bonnie Cash/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Trump also placed blame for Zarutska's killing on former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who is now running for the Senate in battleground North Carolina in a crucial 2026 showdown that may determine if Republicans keep control of the chamber.
UKRAINIAN WOMAN WHO FLED WAR STABBED TO DEATH AT CHARLOTTE LIGHT RAIL STATION
The Charlotte killing came amid Trump's focus this summer on spotlighting horrific crimes in Democrat-controlled cities as he moves federal law enforcement into urban areas.
Iryna Zarutska was stabbed to death on a Charlotte light rail car. (Instagram/lucaveros225 | Peter Zay/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Brown, who is Black, was arrested soon after the stabbing and charged with first-degree murder. On Tuesday, the Department of Justice charged Brown with one count of committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system.
According to police records, he was arrested 14 times over the past 12 years.
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Fox News' Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-calls-death-penalty-suspect-charlotte-light-rail-stabbing