CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A new state audit reveals gaps in the security and safety of the Charlotte Area Transit system one year after Iryna Zarutska was killed on the Blue Line in South End. Now her family plans to file a civil lawsuit. Lauren Newton from Tin, Fulton, Walker Owen represents the f amily of Iryna Zarutska. The state auditors report highlights the lack of fare enforcement and physical security. Officials say DeCarlos Brown did not buy a ticket before he boarded the train and fatally stabbed Zarutska. The report revealed at the time of the incident on August 22, 2025 CMPD did not have access to CATS surveillance cameras for real-time crime reporting. This was corrected by October 2025. “We’ve just taken some of the initial first steps that should have been in place back in August of 2025. Here we are in August of 2026 and we’re still talking about what needs to be done,” Newton said. Over the last year, CATS has added more off duty CMPD officers and there are plans for a fare enforcement team this fall. “We have to make the steps, like other cities have to make our transit system safe,” Newton said. “I think it’s too early to see whether it’s helping. I think that’s something that should have been in place long ago.” DeCarlos Brown has been charged with murder in Mecklenburg County and violence against a transit system causing death federally. He’s in federal custody and has been ordered to take medication to make him competent to stand trial. “The prognosis is good that he’ll be restored to competency and we’re fully expecting to go to trial as soon as possible in that case,” Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney said. Murals honoring Zarutska are painted across the nation. While the family still grieves Newton says they’re filing a civil suit soon for accountability. “I think the report makes it clear that the city failed Iryna Zarutska as it lays out and so did the private security firm,” Newton said. ...read more read less