Charlotte light rail stabbing: suspect twice deported, Trump reacts
Oscar Solarzano, an undocumented Honduran DHS says had been removed from the U.S. twice, was arrested after a stabbing on a Charlotte light rail car; federal prosecutors have charged him with illegal reentry and an act of violence on a mass transportation system, and authorities say he allegedly broke into a rail car while armed before the altercation. President Trump posted on Truth Social blaming Democrats for the incident, Mayor Vi Lyles noted the city’s public‑safety investments and that immigration enforcement is outside city jurisdiction, transit officials said the attack stemmed from an altercation between two individuals, a magistrate ordered Solarzano to remain jailed, federal officials including FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson commented on the case, and CBS cited an internal DHS memo saying fewer than one‑third of Border Patrol arrests in Charlotte’s recent crackdown were classified as criminals.
📌 Key Facts
- Oscar Solarzano, identified as the suspect, is undocumented and has been deported from the U.S. twice, a fact confirmed by DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin and noted by a magistrate at his release hearing; the magistrate ordered him to remain jailed.
- Federal authorities have filed charges against Solarzano alleging illegal reentry and an act of violence on a mass transportation system; FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson publicly addressed the case and pledged prosecution.
- Authorities say the incident included alleged pre-attack conduct — a break-in of a light-rail car while armed — and that the stabbing resulted from an altercation between two individuals, not a random attack, according to transit officials.
- President Trump posted on Truth Social blaming Democrats and highlighting the Charlotte light-rail stabbing.
- Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles issued a statement emphasizing the city's public-safety investments and noting that immigration enforcement is outside city jurisdiction.
- CBS cited an internal DHS document reporting that fewer than one-third of Border Patrol arrests in Charlotte’s recent crackdown were classified as criminals, providing broader context to local enforcement activity.
📊 Relevant Data
In FY 2024, Hispanic individuals accounted for 3% of felony convictions in North Carolina, despite making up approximately 10.5% of the state's population.
Structured Sentencing Statistical Report — North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission
In FY 2024, Black individuals accounted for 44% of felony convictions in North Carolina, despite making up approximately 20.2% of the state's population.
Structured Sentencing Statistical Report — North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission
The foreign-born population in North Carolina surged 32% over the last decade, reaching approximately 1 million residents in 2025, with 56% not being U.S. citizens.
North Carolina's foreign-born population is booming — Axios Charlotte
In Charlotte, overall crime dropped 8% and violent crime decreased 20% from the previous year, despite a 200% rise in Uptown murders from 3 in 2024 to 9 in 2025.
Charlotte is the latest stop on DHS' immigration blitz. Locals say it's unnecessary — CNN
📰 Sources (3)
- Federal case filed: illegal reentry and act of violence on mass transportation system.
- Named federal officials (FBI Director Kash Patel; U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson) publicly addressed the case with prosecutorial commitments.
- Clarifies alleged pre-attack conduct (railroad car break-in while armed) tied to the incident chronology.
- DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin confirmed Oscar Solarzano had been removed from the U.S. twice.
- President Trump posted a Truth Social message blaming Democrats and highlighting the Charlotte stabbing.
- Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles issued a statement noting city public-safety investments and that immigration enforcement is outside city jurisdiction.
- Transit spokesperson said the stabbing stemmed from an altercation between two individuals, not a random attack.
- CBS cites an internal DHS document indicating fewer than one-third of Border Patrol arrests in Charlotte’s recent crackdown were classified as criminals.
- A magistrate noted at Solarzano’s release hearing that he is undocumented and had been previously deported; he was ordered to remain jailed.