In a response to the recent fatal stabbing on a Charlotte commuter train, Butts County Sheriff Gary Long is calling on residents to legally carry firearms. The tragic incident involved 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, who was attacked by Decarlos Brown, a man with no apparent connection to her. The 34-year-old assailant, with a significant criminal history, is facing state and federal charges that could lead to the death penalty, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
The sheriff took to social media to publicly state his stance on the matter, expressing his disbelief that onlookers did not intervene. "The horrific video of the attack is a clear and undisputed reminder why every citizen that can legally posses a firearm, SHOULD possess a firearm and they should be proficient with it," Sheriff Long wrote. His plea did not merely advise residents to arm themselves, but also to be proficient with their weapons, according to a report by 11Alive.
The video of the attack, which authorities say appears to be a random act of violence, has sparked a reaction from Sheriff Long, who is bewildered by the lack of intervention during the assault. "I’m completely baffled that not one person out of the many watching intervened, helped or tried to stop the heinous attack on this helpless woman," the sheriff stated.
Sheriff Long's call to action includes reminding citizens of their Second Amendment rights and providing them with resources to get trained. The Sheriff’s Office has offered handgun safety and self-defense classes, aiming to better prepare citizens to potentially defend themselves or others in the face of danger. "If you need training, click the link and check out our 'Citizen’s Handgun Safety' Classes and 'Women’s Self-Defense' Classes," Long stated, asking the community to also keep Zarutska's family in their thoughts and prayers.
