In brief
Oscar Solarzano was charged after allegedly stabbing a victim on a Charlotte commuter train, leaving them in critical condition. This incident follows the murder of a Ukrainian refugee on a similar train just months prior. Solarzano, who allegedly appeared intoxicated during the attack, is currently being held without bond and faces multiple charges, including attempted first-degree murder.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A stabbing incident on a commuter train in Charlotte has led to the arrest of a 33-year-old man, Oscar Solarzano, who has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and other related crimes. The attack, which occurred on Friday afternoon, left the victim with critical injuries. Police reported that Solarzano assaulted the victim with a large knife and appeared intoxicated during the confrontation, slurring his words while challenging the victim to a fight.The victim is currently hospitalized in critical but stable condition. Solarzano is being held without bond, with a magistrate judge noting that he is in the U.S. illegally and had been previously deported. He is set for a hearing in Mecklenburg County District Court.This stabbing incident raises alarms about safety on Charlotte's public transport system, especially in light of a previous, unrelated incident just months ago when a Ukrainian refugee, Iryna Zarutska, was murdered on a commuter train during a random attack. Zarutska had fled the war in Ukraine, seeking safety in the U.S. A suspect in her murder, Decarlos Brown Jr., has been charged with first-degree murder and is facing federal charges for the death on mass transportation.The string of violent incidents on public transit has prompted officials and residents to call for enhanced safety measures to protect commuters.
