Charlotte, North Carolina, found itself thrust into the national spotlight once again following a violent stabbing on its light rail system Friday afternoon, December 5, 2025. The incident, which left one man critically injured, has reignited fierce debate over immigration policy, public safety, and political leadership in the Queen City.
According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police and corroborated by multiple news outlets including ABC News and Newsweek, the suspect in the attack is 33-year-old Oscar Solarzano, a Honduran national. Police allege that Solarzano, who appeared intoxicated and was reportedly slurring his words, challenged a fellow passenger to a fight before stabbing him with a large fixed blade knife. The victim, identified in court documents as Kenyon Kareem-Shemar Dobie, was rushed to a local hospital and, as of Saturday, was in critical but stable condition.
Solarzano was swiftly apprehended by officers and is now facing a litany of charges, including attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury, carrying a concealed weapon, and being intoxicated and disruptive. He was booked into Mecklenburg County jail early Saturday morning and is being held without bond. Court documents reviewed by Newsweek and The Independent confirm that Solarzano is in the country illegally and has a history of prior deportations—he was expelled from the United States in both 2018 and 2021, and has illegally entered the country at least three times.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged a detainer to prevent Solarzano’s release back into North Carolina neighborhoods. However, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin noted, "Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the county will honor the detainer since they have a history of not cooperating with ICE." Solarzano is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 10 a.m.
The stabbing comes less than four months after another harrowing incident on Charlotte’s light rail: the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who had fled the war in her home country. Zarutska’s death, which occurred in August 2025, sent shockwaves through the city and prompted authorities to ramp up law enforcement patrols on the transit system. The suspect in that case, Decarlos Brown Jr., has been charged with first-degree murder and faces both state and federal charges.
The latest attack has triggered a political firestorm, with national figures and local leaders weighing in. President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform on Saturday, writing, “Another stabbing by an Illegal Migrant in Charlotte, North Carolina. What’s going on in Charlotte? Democrats are destroying it, like everything else, piece by piece!!!” His post echoed sentiments expressed by several Republican officials, including Representative Mark Harris, who posted on X, “Oscar Solarzano was previously deported and then illegally entered our country AGAIN. These are the folks NC's pro-crime Democrats want to keep on the streets.”
Michael Whatley, former RNC Chair and Republican North Carolina Senate candidate, also pointed fingers at Democratic leadership, stating, “A person was viciously stabbed on the Charlotte light rail last night and seriously injured. The suspect? Oscar Solarzano—an illegal alien known to law enforcement. This is Roy Cooper's legacy. While Governor, he BLOCKED legislation which would have forced sheriffs to work with ICE - leaving North Carolinians vulnerable.”
On the other side of the aisle, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein offered a more measured response, posting, "I just spoke with Chief Patterson about the horrific stabbing on the light rail this evening. Please join me in praying for the full recovery of the victim. I am pleased that Chief Patterson was already surging law enforcement throughout Charlotte with Operation Safe Season, and I am grateful to the state law enforcement agencies that are assisting the operation. Public safety is a top priority for us all."
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, meanwhile, expressed frustration over the repeated violence, saying, "Apparently, the death of Iryna Zarutska wasn't enough. What is it going to take for @CLTMayor to remove violent criminals off the streets and protect her constituents? The time to act is NOW."
The incident has also reignited debate over immigration enforcement in Charlotte. In mid-November, federal agents carried out Operation Charlotte’s Web, a sweeping crackdown on immigration that drew both praise and backlash from residents and city leaders. The Trump administration framed the operation as a push to remove violent criminals, though internal data obtained by CBS News suggested that fewer than a third of those arrested had prior criminal charges or convictions. City officials criticized the enforcement surge, saying it created "unnecessary fear and uncertainty" among immigrant communities.
Despite the high-profile attacks, crime in Charlotte has actually been declining, according to third-quarter statistics released in October. Homicides are down 24 percent and aggravated assaults have dropped by 19 percent compared to the previous year. Following Zarutska’s death, city leaders increased police patrols on the light rail, hoping to reassure the public and prevent further violence.
The political divide over how best to ensure public safety remains stark. Republicans argue that Democratic policies—particularly around immigration and cooperation with federal authorities—have made cities like Charlotte more dangerous. They point to cases like Solarzano’s, where repeated illegal entry and prior deportations did not prevent further violence. Democrats, for their part, emphasize the importance of community policing, targeted law enforcement initiatives like Operation Safe Season, and the need to avoid stoking fear among law-abiding immigrants.
For Charlotte residents, the debate is not just political—it’s personal. The city’s light rail system, once seen as a symbol of progress and urban renewal, has become a flashpoint for concerns about safety and the broader national conversation on immigration. As the community grapples with these challenges, officials continue to urge anyone with information about the latest stabbing to contact Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
As Oscar Solarzano prepares to face a judge on Monday, the city of Charlotte remains on edge, caught between competing narratives of crime, immigration, and accountability. The outcome of this case—and the ongoing debate it has sparked—will likely reverberate far beyond North Carolina’s borders.
