CHARLOTTE — From campaign ads to an appearance at the State of the Union, Iryna Zarutska’s family has been thrust into the public spotlight after her killing on the light rail last year.
They sat down with Channel 9’s Hannah Goetz to say what they think about President Trump’s tribute to Iryna and their message to politicians thinking about using video of her.
“She was learning how to drive, and she had her—she was scheduled to get her license, I think, in October,” Iryna’s uncle Scott Haskell said. “You know, and all those dreams were ripped away from her.”
Scott is also the named plaintiff in the wrongful death lawsuit filed against the City of Charlotte last month for Iryna’s murder on the lightrail in August of 2025.
He says it can have been prevented.
“Yes. Yep. Take action. I think there was enough information to know that it was unsafe. She got murdered,” Haskell said. “There’s a chance to prevent lack of action.”
Scott says that he isn’t angry at the city but at the situation as a whole.
“I’m angry at the situation. I feel like it was avoidable,” he said. “I think there was enough information out there that said that there was a problem. And it doesn’t appear that the appropriate actions were taken.”
Following Iryna’s death, video of the attack on the lightrail quickly spread across the nation. That video, which Channel 9 is choosing not to show, started appearing in political ads.
The case is expected to remain at the forefront through the November elections.
“You know, I mean, people are entitled to their opinion,” Haskell said. “We’ve asked, you know, for you know, these videos and such not to be used in that manner. I can’t stop that.”
The video spread all the way to the White House. President Donald Trump recognized Iryna’s mother and Scott who were in the audience.
“For me, I think Anya said it best. It’s for the safety for everyone. You should feel okay. You should feel safe taking the train to and from work or wherever you’re going,” Haskell said. “You shouldn’t have to live in fear. It’s not right. And so, I think that’s the change that the family is seeking. We shouldn’t have to live in fear.”
Earlier this year, Michael Whatley’s campaign used footage of Iryna being attacked on the train in a digital ad. He said the video is in the public domain because the City of Charlotte released it, and his focus is making sure something like this doesn’t happen again.
Roy Cooper’s campaign criticized Whatley for using the footage.
The City of Charlotte is not commenting on the lawsuit filed by Zarutska’s family.
>> You can watch the full interview in the video at the top of the page.
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