The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has identified 33-year-old Oscar Solarzano as the suspect in a light rail stabbing, months after a separate high-profile attack on the same transit system. Police confirmed to Newsweek via email that he faces five charges, including attempted first-degree murder.
Solarzano’s arrest has fueled renewed anger online over his immigration status, including criticism from President Donald Trump, who called him an “illegal migrant” in a Truth Social post. A Mecklenburg District Court document obtained by Newsweek states that Solarzano is in the country illegally and has previously been deported.
Why the Case Is Drawing Attention
The attack occurred just four months after 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska was stabbed and killed on a Blue Line train in Charlotte. She was pronounced dead at the scene, and 34-year-old suspect Decarlos Brown Jr has been charged with her murder.
Debate over Solarzano’s immigration status also comes on the heels of Operation Charlotte’s Web, a major enforcement action carried out by federal immigration agents in mid-November that sparked pushback from residents and local leaders.
Trump has promised to pursue what he describes as the largest mass deportation effort in U.S. history and has repeatedly highlighted law enforcement measures targeting crime and illegal immigration.
What Police Say Happened
Around 4:50 p.m. local time on Friday, officers responded to an emergency call reporting an “assault with a deadly weapon,” according to a police statement provided to Newsweek. Responding officers found a victim suffering from a stab wound and transported the individual to a nearby hospital. As of Friday, the victim was listed in “critical but stable condition,” police said.
In an update on Saturday, police named Solarzano as the suspect, saying he was quickly located by officers and is now in the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO).
He faces five counts, including attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, and carrying a concealed weapon, the department said. An arrest warrant reviewed by Newsweek states that Solarzano had a “large, fixed blade knife” and that he “inflicted serious injury.”
The warrant also notes that Solarzano allegedly challenged the victim to a fight and was “unintelligible” and speaking with “slurred” words. One of the charges accuses him of being “intoxicated and disruptive.”
Solarzano was booked early Saturday, around 8 a.m. local time, and is being held without bond, according to the inmate record locator.
Court documents reviewed by Newsweek show that a Mecklenburg District Court judicial official checked a box indicating they were “unable to determine the defendant is a citizen or legal resident of the United States.”
In another section, the official wrote: “The defendant is an illegal and has been deported previously. Bond can only be set by district court judge.”
The documents state that Solarzano must provide fingerprints and a DNA sample before any release.
Political and Public Reaction
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday: “Another stabbing by an Illegal Migrant in Charlotte, North Carolina. What’s going on in Charlotte? Democrats are destroying it, like everything else, piece by piece!!! President DJT”
Michael Whatley, former RNC chair and Republican North Carolina Senate candidate, posted on X that “a person was viciously stabbed on the Charlotte light rail last night and seriously injured,” adding that the suspect, Solarzano, is “an illegal alien known to law enforcement.” He blamed former Governor Roy Cooper, saying Cooper blocked legislation that would have required sheriffs to cooperate with ICE, “leaving North Carolinians vulnerable.”
Representative Mark Harris, a North Carolina Republican, wrote on X: “Meet the illegal alien charged with stabbing someone on a Charlotte Light Rail last night. Oscar Solarzano was previously deported and then illegally entered our country AGAIN.”
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein said in an X post Friday night: “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. I am pleased that Chief Patterson was already surging law enforcement throughout Charlotte with Operation Safe Season, and I am grateful to the state law enforcement agencies that are assisting the operation. Public safety is a top priority for us all.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy added in a Saturday X post: “Apparently, the death of Iryna Zarutska wasn’t enough. What is it going to take for @CLTMayor to remove violent criminals off the streets and protect her constituents? The time to act is NOW.”
What Happens Next
Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the stabbing or has information about the incident to contact Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
According to court documents, Solarzano is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, December 8, at 10 a.m. local time.
