Trump blames Democrats after killing of Ukrainian refugee in Charlotte

 US President Donald Trump called the suspect in the killing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte, North Carolina, a “monster” and blamed Democratic-led cities for rising crime.

In a video posted on the White House’s official YouTube channel, Trump said all of the “25 most dangerous cities” in the United States were run by Democratic mayors. He accused them of releasing violent offenders and using “catch and release” policies for criminals.

Trump showed photographs of Zarutska, 23, and suspect Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, who was arrested at the scene. “She was killed by a crazy monster who walked free after 14 previous arrests,” Trump said, adding Americans must be “as tough as the criminals” to restore order.

The president also pointed to his decision to deploy thousands of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C.

 Zarutska was fatally stabbed on Aug. 22 in a Charlotte light rail train. Surveillance video released on Sept. 5 showed her sitting with a phone when Brown, who was homeless and diagnosed with schizophrenia, attacked her without provocation. Brown has a long record of arrests and served five years in prison for armed robbery. He has been charged with first-degree murder and sent for psychiatric evaluation.