Key Takeaways
- A stabbing occurred on Charlotte’s LYNX Blue Line, leaving one person seriously injured and sparking concerns about crime in the city.
- The suspect, Oscar Solarzano, is an undocumented immigrant who has been deported twice before and is facing charges of attempted first-degree murder.
- The incident has drawn comment from President Donald Trump, who highlighted the suspect’s immigration status and asked "What’s going on with Charlotte?"
- The city has launched a new safety initiative called Operation Safe Season to increase police presence and enforcement in areas plagued by violence.
- The stabbing comes nearly four months after the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee, which sparked concerns about violence in the city.
Introduction to the Incident
The city of Charlotte is dealing with another stabbing on its light rail system, months after the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee served as a flashpoint for the crime debate in major American cities. The stabbing on Friday, which left one person seriously injured, happened on Charlotte’s LYNX Blue Line – the same route where refugee Iryna Zarutska was killed. The Trump administration and conservative politicians cited her death as an example of the violent crime they say plagues many Democrat-led cities across the United States.
Details of the Stabbing
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department responded to a stabbing near the light rail station on 25th Street and North Brevard Street around 4:50 p.m. The victim was transported to a local hospital and is currently in critical but stable condition. Officers quickly apprehended the suspect, identified as 33-year-old Oscar Solarzano, shortly after the incident. He was interviewed and later transferred to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. Solarzano allegedly attacked the victim with a large fixed blade knife and is facing charges of attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury, and other crimes.
Suspect’s Immigration Status
Solarzano is an undocumented immigrant who has been deported twice before. He was issued a final order of removal by an immigration judge in 2018 and then deported by the Trump administration. He was removed again after entering the U.S. illegally in 2021 and then reentered the country a third time at an unknown date and location. The Department of Homeland Security has lodged a detainer for Solarzano, and he is being held without bond.
Response from Authorities
The stabbing drew comment from President Donald Trump, who posted on Truth Social Saturday, highlighting the suspect’s immigration status and asking, "What’s going on with Charlotte?" North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein wrote in a post on X, "I just spoke with Chief Patterson about the horrific stabbing on the light rail this evening. Please join me in praying for the full recovery of the victim." The city has launched a new safety initiative called Operation Safe Season to increase police presence and enforcement in areas plagued by violence.
Previous Incident and Safety Concerns
The stabbing comes nearly four months after Zarutska’s killing. Zarutska was fatally stabbed in August after boarding the late-night LYNX Blue Line train from Scaleybark station, just a few miles outside of downtown Charlotte. The suspect, Decarlos Brown, 35, was charged with first-degree murder. The LYNX Blue Line saw its September ridership drop by more than 10% compared to the same month last year, and federal statistics showed that in October, light rail ridership was down 8%. The Charlotte Area Transit System has rolled out updated safety protocols for its light rail service, including increased security presence and off-duty police officers.
City’s Response to Safety Concerns
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said the city has "invested heavily in increasing security on our transit system and (Charlotte police) has been proactive in increasing its presence across our city." The city has also launched Operation Safe Season, which aims to significantly increase police presence and enforcement in areas plagued by frequent violence. Estella Patterson was sworn in as the new chief of police for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and has already begun surging law enforcement throughout Charlotte with Operation Safe Season. The city is working to ensure a safe and vibrant community, despite concerns about crime and violence.
