CHARLOTTE — A 33-year-old man, Oscar Solarzano, has been arrested and charged after a horrifying stabbing aboard a Charlotte light-rail train Friday evening. Court documents released in connection with the case allege that Solarzano — described as previously deported — stabbed another rider, leaving the victim seriously wounded. Authorities are holding Solarzano without bond.
A Routine Ride Turns Violent
At approximately 4:50 p.m. Friday, officers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) responded to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon on a light-rail train traveling along the city’s Blue Line. The train was stopped between stations near North Brevard Street and East 22nd Street when witnesses alerted police.
When officers arrived, they found the victim with a stab wound. The man was immediately transported to Novant Health Presbyterian hospital, where medics said he was seriously injured — though his condition was later described as stable.
Suspect Identified — Charges Filed
Within hours of the attack, CMPD arrested Solarzano and charged him with multiple crimes: attempted first-degree murder; assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury; breaking and entering a motor vehicle; carrying a concealed weapon; and being intoxicated and disruptive in a public place.
According to court records, the magistrate — identified as Rebecca Howell — ordered him held without bond. The documents note that Solarzano is in the country illegally and has been deported previously.
His listed address — at least temporarily — is the “Roof Above” homeless shelter.
What Witnesses Say
Authorities allege that Solarzano forced his way onto the light-rail car while intoxicated. Once aboard, he reportedly began shouting, cursing at other passengers, and issued a challenge to fight the victim — before pulling out a fixed-blade knife and stabbing him. Witnesses inside the car were reportedly startled, some giving chase or fleeing as the train came to a halt.
Investigators combed the scene for evidence: a bicycle nearby was dusted for prints, and crime-scene tape was observed inside the train. Meanwhile, service on parts of the Blue Line was disrupted, prompting the transit agency to deploy a bus bridge between key stations while they handled the aftermath.
Timing That Rekindles Fear
This incident comes just months after another tragic attack aboard the same transit system — when 23-year-old refugee Iryna Zarutska was randomly stabbed to death on a light-rail train in August. That killing had shocked the community and raised serious questions about security on public transit in Charlotte.
Her accused killer, Decarlos Brown Jr., was arrested soon after, indicted on state first-degree murder charges and federal counts for violence against a mass transportation system.
The new stabbing has renewed angst among riders and city leaders, as memories of Zarutska’s death remain fresh.
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Community Response & What’s Next
Local officials, including state and transit authorities, have not yet released a full statement on the Friday attack. Meanwhile, court documents indicate that Solarzano will be held pending further investigation — and potentially turned over to federal immigration officials given his deportation history.
Riders and residents are once again asking: how safe is Charlotte’s public transit? With two violent incidents on record in just a few months, pressure is growing for deeper security reforms on the light-rail system.
Meanwhile, the victim recovers in hospital, and investigators say they are still piecing together exactly what led to the attack. Anyone with information is urged to contact local Crime Stoppers.
This story is still unfolding. We’ll keep monitoring the coverage — if new facts emerge, we’ll get you an updated version.
