Charlotte Light Rail Stabbing: Undocumented Immigrant Arrested After Violent Attack

A man was violently stabbed on a Charlotte light rail train. The alleged attacker is an undocumented immigrant with a prior deportation order. The incident occurred on December 5, raising renewed concerns about public safety.

The attack happened just months after another high-profile murder on the same transit system. Authorities confirm the suspect has a significant criminal history.

Suspect Had Been Deported Multiple Times Before Attack

The suspect is Oscar Solarzano, age 33. According to the New York Post, he faces charges including attempted murder. Police say he was intoxicated and disruptive during the incident.

Solarzano allegedly challenged the victim to a fight. He then used a large knife to stab the man. The victim suffered serious injuries but was reported in stable condition at a local hospital.

Court records indicate Solarzano is from Honduras. He was previously deported in 2018 under a final removal order. Immigration officials state he illegally re-entered the United States at least twice after that.

Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin detailed his record. She noted prior arrests for aggravated battery and robbery. An immigration detainer has been lodged to prevent his release.

Attack Echoes Earlier Tragedy on Charlotte Transit

This stabbing follows another brutal crime on Charlotte’s light rail. In August, Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska was murdered on a train. That suspect, Decarlos Brown Jr., was also a career criminal with a violent past.

The back-to-back violent incidents have sparked a public debate. Community members are questioning security measures on public transit. Officials are facing pressure to address safety concerns for all riders.

The conversation now includes immigration enforcement policies. Some leaders point to this case as a systemic failure. They argue repeat offenders with deportation orders should not be in communities.

The recent Charlotte light rail stabbing has intensified scrutiny on multiple fronts. Public safety and immigration enforcement are now central to the local dialogue. This case will likely influence policy discussions for the foreseeable future.

A quick knowledge drop for you

Who is Oscar Solarzano?

Oscar Solarzano is a 33-year-old undocumented immigrant from Honduras. He was arrested for stabbing a man on a Charlotte light rail train. Authorities confirm he had been deported previously and has a criminal history.

What condition is the stabbing victim in?

The victim was hospitalized with serious injuries. According to ABC News, he was listed in stable condition. His address matched a local homeless shelter.

How is this case connected to Iryna Zarutska’s murder?

Both violent attacks occurred on the Charlotte light rail system within months of each other. Each incident involved a suspect with a significant criminal background. The cases have collectively raised major safety concerns for public transit.

What is an immigration detainer?

An immigration detainer is a request from federal officials to a local jail. It asks the jail to hold an individual for transfer to immigration authorities. The goal is to prevent a potentially deportable person from being released back into the community.

What happens to Oscar Solarzano now?

Solarzano is being held without bond on state charges. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has requested custody after his criminal case. His ultimate fate will depend on the judicial outcomes of both his criminal and immigration proceedings.