Charlotte Train Attack: Why I Am Not Judging the Bystanders

With more footage of the horrific stabbing of Iryna Zarutska having been released, there has been a torrent of criticism directed at bystanders who did not intervene sooner. But after having taken time to review the full video of the incident, from two different angles, I am reluctant to cast judgment on the victim’s fellow passengers. The reality is that somebody did come to her aid within 90 seconds of the attack and, in the narrow span before that, the other passengers were likely paralyzed by shock, confusion, and fear.

I am not going to embed the grisly video, which you can find from two angles here and here. I watched the footage for the purpose of writing this article, but would advise against doing so unless you have a very strong stomach.

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Philip Klein

Philip Klein is the editor of National Review Online.

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With more footage of the horrific stabbing of Iryna Zarutska having been released, there has been a torrent of criticism directed at bystanders who did not intervene sooner. But after having taken time to review the full video of the incident, from two different angles, I am reluctant to cast judgment on the victim’s fellow passengers. The reality is that somebody did come to her aid within 90 seconds of the attack and, in the narrow span before that, the other passengers were likely paralyzed by shock, confusion, and fear.

I am not going to embed the grisly video, which you can find from two angles here and here. I watched the footage for the purpose of writing this article, but would advise against doing so unless you have a very strong stomach.