A tense moment unfolded Monday during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Charlotte, exposing a rare misstep by a Democratic lawmaker and prompting an emotional reaction from a grieving parent.

Democratic Rep. Deborah Ross of North Carolina, speaking on the plight of violent crime victims, mistakenly misidentified a young woman who had been murdered—whose photograph was prominently displayed in the hearing room. The error quickly drew outrage from the victim’s family.

The father of the slain woman, visibly upset by the mix-up, erupted in response to the misidentification, underscoring the personal stakes often overshadowed in political performances.

Republican Rep. Mark Harris of North Carolina highlighted the incident, sharing a video of the confrontation on the social media platform X, bringing renewed attention to the hearing and the moment of emotional intensity.

The episode serves as a stark reminder of the sensitivities surrounding discussions of violent crime, and how even well-intentioned remarks can provoke strong reactions when names and faces are misused.

Father of Murdered Young Woman Confronts Lawmaker Who Misidentified Daughter at Hearing

A House Judiciary Committee hearing in Charlotte turned unexpectedly tense Monday, as Democratic Rep. Deborah Ross of North Carolina misidentified a murder victim during a discussion meant to honor those lost to violent crime.

Moments earlier, Ross had been reflecting on the brutal killing of Ukraine war refugee Iryna Zuretska, a case that shocked the nation. She noted that Zuretska’s family wanted her remembered not for the violence that ended her life but “as the vibrant and exceptionally kind person she was.” Gesturing to a photograph at the front of the hearing room, Ross said, “And I’m thrilled that we have a picture of her in that state right in front of us.”

The problem: the photograph wasn’t of Zuretska. It was of Logan Federico, a 22-year-old woman murdered in May by a career criminal who should never have been free to commit such an act.

“That’s my daughter,” Federico’s father, Steve Federico, shouted from his front-row seat.

Ross stammered an apology as Federico continued: “Logan Federico. Before Iryna. Four months before. How dare you not know her?”

The exchange raised questions beyond a simple error by Ross’s staff. Republican Rep. Mark Harris highlighted the incident on X, asserting, “There’s so many victims of pro-crime Democrat policies, they can’t keep track!”

Federico’s murder was committed by Alexander Dickey, a man with a long criminal history that included 40 prior arrests dating back to 2014. Authorities reported that Dickey had recently completed his most recent probationary term in February, according to WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina.

The incident underscores a broader issue: while some victims of violent crime, like Zuretska, receive national attention, others—including Federico—remain largely known only in their local communities. Yet, the tragic common thread remains the same: all were killed by individuals who should not have been free to take lives, and whose deaths highlight ongoing debates over criminal justice and public safety.

During her opening statement, Rep. Deborah Ross pivoted from honoring victims to criticizing Republican approaches to crime.

“They want you to believe that being ‘tough on crime’ and invoking ‘law and order’ will solve the problem,” Ross said. “And they want to believe that a slogan will make America safe again.” She further claimed that Republicans in Washington sought to “defund police,” a statement that contradicts recent political trends and reporting.

Observers familiar with national crime and law enforcement policies note a clear divide: concerns over rising violent crime and the handling of repeat offenders have increasingly become points of contention, with some critics asserting that Democratic policies have prioritized leniency for certain offenders over public safety. High-profile murders—including those of Logan Federico, Laken Riley, Iryna Zuretska, and Jocelyn Nungaray—underscore the stakes.

While the misidentification of Logan Federico as Zuretska could be attributed to a staff error or misread notes, the broader context remains contentious. Critics argue that, over the past decade, Democratic leadership has often favored criminal justice reforms and policies perceived by some as lenient, particularly under the Biden administration. These decisions, combined with national conversations around policing and public safety, have fueled debate about political responsibility in the face of violent crime.

The incident at the Charlotte hearing, in which a grieving father publicly corrected a lawmaker, highlighted not only the human cost of violent crime but also the heightened partisanship surrounding its discussion. For many, it underscored the emotional weight carried by victims’ families—and the political battles that sometimes overshadow their individual stories.