CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – President Donald Trump took to social media on Monday afternoon, posting to his Truth account that he saw the video of the deadly stabbing on a Charlotte light rail that occurred over two weeks ago.
“I have seen the horrific video of a beautiful, young Ukrainian refugee, who came to America to escape the vicious War in Ukraine, and was innocently riding the Metro in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she was brutally ambushed by a mentally deranged lunatic,” Trump said on Truth.
Trump also made other claims in his post on Truth, stating that the alleged killer was released on cashless bail back in January of this year, multiple times.
The President also made claims that the “woman’s death is now on the hands of the Democrats.”
WBTV is looking into the claims that Trump made and is fact-checking him.
Trump first made comments about the deadly stabbing on Sunday, Sept. 7, saying the situation was “horrible.”
“Horrible,” Trump said Sunday after hearing about the case for the first time. “I haven’t heard … [but] I’ll know all about it by tomorrow morning.”
Trump’s reaction came one day after Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles called the unprovoked Aug. 22 stabbing “senseless and tragic.”
“This was a senseless and tragic loss,” Lyles wrote on social media. “Like so many of you, I’m heartbroken — and I’ve been thinking hard about what safety really looks like in our city. I remain committed to doing all we can to protect our residents and ensure Charlotte is a place where everyone feels safe.”
North Carolina leaders react to video of deadly light rail stabbing
The video of the deadly light rail stabbing in Charlotte’s South End has grabbed the attention of lawmakers across the Tar Heel State.
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said he was “appalled” by the video showing her murder.
“I am heartbroken for the family of Iryna Zarutska, who lost their loved one to this senseless act of violence,” Stein posted on social media. “I am appalled by the footage of her murder. We need more cops on the beat to keep people safe.”
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson said this was an “outrageously heinous and vicious attack.”
“This was an outrageously heinous and vicious act. Iryna was killed while sitting peacefully, an innocent life taken in a shocking and brutal way. We have told the district attorney, who is leading the prosecution, that our office will provide any and all support to deliver justice. We will remain steadfast until that justice is achieved,” North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson wrote on social media.
The U.S. Attorney for North Carolina’s Western District, Russ Ferguson, said that his office is “looking into” potential federal involvement.
“The incident was a tragedy, and we are looking at every way the federal government can bring justice to Iryna Zarutska and her loved ones,” Ferguson wrote in part.
“The incident was a tragedy, and we are looking at every way the federal government can bring justice to Iryna Zarutska and her loved ones. This act of violence affects the confidence of all those who rely on public transportation to commute to work and go about their daily business, and restoring that confidence is our mission.”
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