CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – Charlotte-based rapper Jonathan “DaBaby” Kirk on Tuesday released a new song and music video related to the deadly August light rail stabbing.
DaBaby’s music video for his new song “Save Me” premiered on YouTube on Tuesday, Sept. 16. The rapper described the song and video as “a dedication to Iryna Zarutska” — a 23-year-old Ukrainian woman who was stabbed to death on the Charlotte light rail on Aug. 22.
Read also: What we know about Ukrainian woman killed in attack
The music video starts with security footage from the stabbing in the form of a local newscast. The surveillance video shows Zarutska board the Lynx Blue Line light rail car and sit down. In the video, the attacker, believed to be Decarlos Brown Jr., then pulls out a knife and raises his arm.
The surveillance footage stops and DaBaby’s music begins.
The music video appeared to be a loose reenactment of the deadly stabbing, with KenDarius “Too” Hargrove appearing to portray the believed attacker, and Natalie Jones appearing as Zarutska.
The video ends with DaBaby grabbing Too’s wrist, preventing the stabbing. Too then exits the rail car and is arrested by security officers in the music video.
A photo of the GoFundMe created in Zarutska’s memory appears in the video following the credits. The same fundraiser was also linked in the video’s description.
Who was Iryna Zarutska?
Iryna Zarutska was a 23-year-old who came to Charlotte after fleeing from Ukraine, which was at war with Russia.
Zarutska was reportedly a college graduate with a degree in art and restoration from a Ukrainian college, and worked three jobs in the U.S.
She was killed while riding the Charlotte light rail on the night of Friday, Aug. 22. Decarlos Brown Jr. was apprehended soon after the stabbing, and later charged with first-degree murder in connection with the stabbing.
Read also: Family of Iryna Zarutska, Ukrainian woman killed on Charlotte light rail, speaks out
During one of Brown’s court appearances, Zarutska’s uncle described her as “a sweet angel.”
“We are heartbroken beyond words. Iryna came here to find peace and safety, and instead her life was stolen from her in the most horrific way,” a family spokesperson said on Sept. 10. “No family should have to go through this.”
More charges brought against Brown
On Sept. 9, the Department of Justice and FBI announced they filed a criminal charge against Brown, one count of committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system.
Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, said that more federal charges were possible.
Read also: Feds to seek maximum penalty against accused Charlotte light rail killer
Brown was already locally charged with first-degree murder in Zarutska’s killing.
A judge ordered Brown to undergo a competency hearing based on prior mental health concerns. Earlier in the year, court filings reported that Brown believed a “man-made” material was controlling when he ate, walked, and talked.
Read also: What we know about Charlotte light rail stabbing suspect’s criminal history
Weeks before he was accused of killing Zarutska, Brown’s public defender filed a motion questioning Brown’s capacity to proceed with that case.
As of this article’s writing, no motive was given for Zarutska’s killing.
Safety concerns, changes on the light rail
The Charlotte Area Transit System, known locally as CATS, came under fire shortly after Zarutska’s death over various safety concerns.
Charlotte Mayor and Metropolitan Transit Commission Chair Vi Lyles called for a special meeting on Sept. 3. That’s when CATS interim CEO Brent Cagle and Chief Safety and Security Officer Eric Osnes laid out proposed safety initiatives.
Among those initiatives were increased fare enforcement, since they did not believe Brown had purchased a light rail ticket the night of the stabbing.
An increase in armed and unarmed security guards and contracted police officers was also discussed.
Lyles released a letter on Sept. 8 announcing a stronger security presence along Blue Line platforms, bike units, and urban terrain vehicles.
The proposed changes have to be approved by the Metro Transit Commission before they can go into effect. The commission will next meet on Sept. 22.
Read also: Charlotte mayor announces ‘stronger’ security for light rail after deadly stabbing
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