CATS Interim CEO Brent Cagle said the agency has “taken a proactive and robust” approach to public transit safety.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ Charlotte City Council addressed Friday’s stabbingย on the light rail Monday night, less than four months after the deadly stabbing of Iryna Zarutska prompted increased security measures on public transportation. Mayor Vi Lyles said she has requested CATS to provide an update on the transit security plan this week.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in Charlotte, and that remains this council’s priority,” Lyles said during Monday night’s meeting, after multiple residents brought up the incident during public comment. “I’ve asked CATS to provide an update to council this week on the transit security plan as it is enacted over the last several months so that we can all understand where we all are.โ
Oscar Solorzano is charged with attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, breaking and entering of a motor vehicle, carrying a concealed weapon and intoxicated and disruptive in connection with the Dec. 5 attack.
Police say Oscar Solorzano was drinking alcohol on the light rail and yelling at passengers Friday night. He is accused of stabbing a man who was trying to intervene.
The rider, identified as 24-year-old Kenyon Dobie, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Solorzano was arrested shortly after the incident. Detectives say he admitted to drinking and stabbing the victim.ย
Solorzano has already banned from the rail, and two months ago, he was found with a knife at a light rail station.
Councilmember Dimple Ajmera asked: “Why was he allowed back on the system? And how are we enforcing those bans?”
Just four months ago, a separate stabbing incident took the life of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska. In response, city leaders stepped up security.
CATS Interim CEO Brent Cagle said the agency has “taken a proactive and robust approach to keep employees and passengers as safe as possible by deploying additional off-duty CMPD officers, private security personnel, new technology and safety reporting tools.”
But, Mecklenburg County GOP Chair Kyle Kirby says this incident is a sign that wasn’t enough.
“What I would like to see is tangible action taking place in Charlotte, a physical representation of law and order, like a policeman, a physical barrier, like a fence, to stop people from getting on this light rail that shouldn’t be on there,” Kirby said.
He is calling for a security officer on every single train as well as closing off the platforms.
A transportation advisory committee meeting was scheduled for Dec. 10 but has since been canceled for an unknown reason.
Contact Julie Kay at juliekay@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X andย Instagram.
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