Man Stabbed on Charlotte Light Rail; Suspect Held Without Bond
Man Stabbed on Charlotte Light Rail Friday Evening
A man was stabbed in the chest on the light rail in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Friday evening in the 1800 block of North Brevard Street in the Eastway Division. Authorities said the stabbing occurred at approximately 4:50 p.m. The victim was identified in court records as Kenyon Doble. Officials reported that his condition remained unclear following the incident.
Suspect Identified and Arrested
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department stated on X that officers identified 33-year-old Oscar Solarzano as the suspect in the stabbing. Law enforcement arrested Solarzano shortly after the incident. He was taken into custody and is being held at the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office.
Charges Filed Against Suspect
Authorities said Solarzano faces multiple charges connected to the Charlotte light rail stabbing. The charges include attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury, breaking and entering a motor vehicle, carrying a concealed weapon, and being intoxicated and disruptive. These charges were lodged following his arrest in connection with the attack on the light rail.
Detention and Immigration History
Court paperwork shows that Magistrate Rebecca Howell ordered Solarzano held without bond. The paperwork states that he is in the country illegally and has been deported previously. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said Solarzano is a native of Honduras and confirmed that he had been removed from the United States twice.
Tricia McLaughlin, the Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary for public affairs, posted on X that an immigration judge issued Solarzano a final order of removal in 2018. According to McLaughlin, he was removed from the United States on March 9, 2018. She also stated that he was apprehended illegally crossing the border again in 2021 and was removed a second time. McLaughlin added that Solarzano entered the country illegally for a third time at an unknown date and location.
Previous Fatal Stabbing on Charlotte Light Rail
Months before the Friday incident, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee was fatally stabbed while riding the Blue Line on the Charlotte light rail. Officials identified the suspect in that earlier stabbing as 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr. Authorities charged Brown with first-degree murder. In October, he was also indicted on federal charges of violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death.
Call for Information From Witnesses
Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the Friday stabbing on the Charlotte light rail, or anyone with information about the incident, to contact Charlotte Crime Stoppers. Authorities said tips can be provided by calling 704-334-1600, using the Charlotte Crime Stoppers P3 Tips Mobile App, or visiting the Charlotte Crime Stoppers website.