CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A North Carolina judge ordered that Oscar Solarzano, a Honduran national, be held without bond following a non-fatal stabbing incident on a Charlotte commuter train. The attack resulted in charges of attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon against the suspect.
During a court appearance conducted via video link, Solarzano, 33, who is listed as a resident of a local homeless shelter, remained silent as a translator conveyed the charges to him. His next court date is set for December 30.
Solarzano is accused of stabbing 24-year-old Kenyon Kareem Dobie in the chest amid a confrontation on the city’s Blue Line during which Dobie intervened to defend an elderly woman being yelled at by Solarzano.
According to local transit authorities, Solarzano had previously been banned from Charlotte Area Transit Service property and has a history of deportations and criminal offenses.
The Department of Homeland Security has placed a detainer on Solarzano, indicating their involvement due to his illegal immigration status and criminal background. He has previously been deported twice and holds prior convictions for robbery and illegal reentry.
This incident has reignited discussions about public safety and immigration policies in the area, with comments from political figures highlighting perceived weaknesses in law enforcement and immigration control. President Trump responded to the stabbing on social media, criticizing the local governance and its approach to crime.
In response to rising concerns, the Charlotte Area Transit System has claimed to enhance security measures by incorporating off-duty police officers, private security personnel, and advanced safety technologies following previous violent incidents.
Officials aim to reassure the public of their commitment to maintaining safety within the transit system and throughout the community.
