Urgent: Previously Deported Immigrant Charged in Charlotte Stabbing

BREAKING: A previously deported immigrant has been charged in connection with a stabbing incident on a Charlotte light rail train that occurred just last night. Oscar Solarzano, 33, faces serious charges, including attempted first-degree murder, after allegedly stabbing Kenyon Dobie in the chest on the Lynx Blue Line.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) announced the charges early Saturday morning, confirming that Solarzano was apprehended shortly after the incident. The attack took place on December 5, 2025, marking yet another violent episode on the same transit line where Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, was tragically murdered in August.

According to court documents, Magistrate Rebecca Howell stated that Solarzano was in the U.S. illegally and had previously been deported. He is currently being held without bond as he awaits a court appearance scheduled for Monday morning.

The victim, Dobie, was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries but is reported to be in stable condition, as confirmed by ABC News on Saturday afternoon.

“Solarzano was quickly apprehended by officers shortly after the incident occurred,” CMPD stated in a post on social media, detailing the immediate police response.

This latest incident has reignited discussions about public safety and crime in Charlotte. Republican North Carolina Rep. Mark Harris criticized local government policies, asserting that they contribute to rising crime rates and protect criminals over victims. “These are the folks NC’s pro-crime Democrats want to keep on the streets,” Harris stated in a post, referring to Solarzano.

Former Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Whatley, a candidate for North Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat, also condemned policies that he claims have allowed violent offenses to persist. “This is Roy Cooper’s legacy,” he remarked, blaming the Democratic governor for blocking collaboration between local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

In response to the growing concern over public safety, North Carolina recently enacted Iryna’s Law, which increases penalties for crimes committed on public transit. The law was signed on December 1, 2025, just days before this stabbing incident.

Moreover, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched Operation Charlotte’s Web on November 15, targeting criminal illegal immigrants in the area. Reports indicate that the operation resulted in over 425 arrests within weeks, highlighting the government’s focus on addressing illegal immigration and crime.

As the investigation continues, community leaders and residents are calling for urgent action to ensure safety on public transit. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy raised concerns on social media, questioning what more it would take for local officials to prioritize the safety of constituents.

The situation is developing rapidly, and the CMPD is expected to provide further updates as they gather more information. As the public watches closely, the implications of this incident resonate deeply across Charlotte and beyond, underscoring the urgent need for effective policies to ensure community safety.