US4 min(s) read
Published 16:15 09 Jun 2026 GMT
The man accused of fatally stabbing a young Ukrainian refugee on a North Carolina train erupted in court this week after revealing his disturbing motive for the attack.
Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, appeared before a federal judge in Charlotte on Tuesday, where he reportedly shouted about having "material in his body" and demanded that charges be filed against the FBI.
According to Queen City News, Brown also asked the judge whether he had reviewed a mental health evaluation and a letter written by his mother during the brief hearing.
The outburst came as the court determined that Brown remains incompetent to stand trial over the death of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, who was fatally stabbed aboard a Charlotte Blue Line light rail train in August 2025.
As a result, Brown will now undergo up to four months of medication and treatment in an effort to restore his competency.
If he is still deemed unfit after treatment, federal law could allow him to remain in custody indefinitely, while a future hearing may determine whether he can be forcibly medicated.
The latest court appearance comes months after a disturbing jailhouse phone call shed light on Brown's state of mind following the attack.
In the recorded conversation, obtained days after Zarutska's death, Brown admitted he had stabbed the young woman despite never speaking to her.
"I hurt my hand, stabbing her. I don't even know the lady. I never said not one word to the lady at all. That's scary, ain't it. Why would somebody stab somebody for no reason?" he said.
When his sister, Tracey, asked why he targeted Zarutska, Brown offered a bizarre explanation.
"They just lashed out on her, that's what happened. Whoever was working the materials, they lashed out on her. That's all there is to it. Now they really gotta investigate what my body was exposed to... Now they gotta do an investigation as to who was the motive behind what happened."
Tracey later revealed her brother had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
"A person that is hearing voices in their head and believes the world is against them, they're going to break. And I think that night he broke," she said.
"He was a high risk. He was not in his right mind. He was not safe for society. We know what he has been dealing with the last three years. And now an innocent woman is dead."
Brown's mother also claimed her son had repeatedly sought help before the tragedy.
"He was seeking help. He called 911 multiple times. Instead of talking to him, they thought charging him was going to help," she said.
Zarutska, who is originally from Kyiv, moved to the United States with her family after fleeing the war in Ukraine.
She worked at Zepeddie's pizzeria, became fluent in English, and hoped to become a veterinary assistant.
Surveillance footage shows the moment Brown brutally stabbed the 23-year-old, who was sitting alone on the train.
At approximately 9:55PM, the suspect "pulled a knife out of his pocket, unfolds the knife, pauses, then stands up, and strikes at the victim three times," according to an affidavit cited by PEOPLE.
"Blood visibly drips on the floor as the defendant walks away from the victim. The victim goes unresponsive shortly after the attack," the affidavit states.
Zarutska was pronounced dead at the scene. Brown was arrested shortly afterwards after a witness provided information to investigators.
Federal prosecutors later charged him with committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system in addition to state murder charges.
Prosecutors have indicated they intend to pursue the death penalty.
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us4 min(s) read
Published 12:45 09 Apr 2026 GMT
An update has emerged on the man accused of fatally stabbing a Ukrainian refugee after he revealed a chilling motive for the attack from jail.
Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old woman who fled the war in Ukraine with her family in search of safety, was tragically killed on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 22, 2025.
Surveillance footage captured the horrifying moment the young woman was targeted.
At 9:55PM, Zarutska was seen sitting in an aisle seat when a man, identified as Decarlos Brown Jr., "pulls a knife out of his pocket, unfolds the knife, pauses, then stands up, and strikes at the victim three times," according to an affidavit, per PEOPLE.
"Blood visibly drips on the floor as the defendant walks away from the victim. The victim goes unresponsive shortly after the attack," the affidavit states.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Brown was arrested shortly after, following a tip from a witness.
U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson described the killing as a "terroristic act," adding: "This brutal attack on an innocent woman simply trying to get to her destination is an attack on the American way of life. Of course, crimes like this affect the victim the most - Iryna deserves justice, and we will bring justice to her and her family."
Brown was initially charged with first-degree murder and later hit with a federal charge for committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, with a hearing requested within 180 days to determine whether it will be pursued, per WBTV.
Per an April 7 motion filed by attorneys for 34-year-old suspect, a state psychiatric facility found in a December 2025 report that he was "incapable to proceed to trial".
The case is now on hold until a judge determines that Brown’s mental capacity has been restored.
In a recorded jailhouse call obtained days after the attack, Brown gave a disturbing account of the incident.
"I hurt my hand, stabbing her. I don’t even know the lady. I never said not one word to the lady at all. That’s scary, ain’t it. Why would somebody stab somebody for no reason?” he said.
When his sister Tracey questioned why he chose Zarutska, he responded: "They just lashed out on her, that’s what happened. Whoever was working the materials, they lashed out on her. That’s all there is to it. Now they really gotta investigate what my body was exposed to... Now they gotta do an investigation as to who was the motive behind what happened."
Tracey, who said her brother is a paranoid schizophrenic, described his mental state leading up to the attack. "A person that is hearing voices in their head and believes the world is against them, they’re going to break. And I think that night he broke," she said.
She added: "He was a high risk. He was not in his right mind. He was not safe for society. We know what he has been dealing with the last three years. And now an innocent woman is dead."
Tracey mother also claimed attempts to get him help had failed. "He was seeking help. He called 911 multiple times. Instead of talking to him, they thought charging him was going to help."
Zarutska had moved to the United States from Kyiv with her family to escape war.
Before her death, she worked at Zepeddie’s pizzeria, became fluent in English, and dreamed of becoming a veterinary assistant.
Her family said she will be "remembered for her kindness, her creativity, and the lasting impression she left on everyone she met," adding: "Her absence leaves a deep void, but her spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved her."
us4 min(s) read
Published 16:06 14 Nov 2025 GMT
The man accused of brutally stabbing a Ukrainian refugee to death on a train offered a haunting explanation for his actions in a recorded jailhouse phone call, as Donald Trump called for his execution.
Iryna Zarutska, who fled the war in Ukraine in search of safety, was killed on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 22, 2025.
Surveillance footage showed 30-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr. sitting behind Zarutska for several minutes before suddenly stabbing her in the neck with a pocket knife.
He then calmly walked through the carriage with the blood-covered weapon in his hand.
Iryna Zarutska, who had fled the war in Ukraine, was killed in a brutal stabbing. Credit: Iryna Zarutska / Instagram
Zarutska had learned English, was working at Zepeddie’s Pizzeria, and hoped to become a veterinary assistant.
Her family described her as “gifted and passionate”, adding in a statement: “We are heartbroken beyond words. Iryna came here to find peace and safety, and instead, her life was stolen from her in the most horrific way.”
Brown was quickly arrested and charged with first-degree murder, along with a federal charge of committing murder on a mass transportation system.
Both charges carry the possibility of life in prison or the death penalty, with a a Rule 24 court hearing to determine whether Brown would face the death penalty being delayed to April 2026.
In a jailhouse phone call to his sister Tracey on August 28, 2025, Brown made a disturbing statement, per The Daily Mail: “I hurt my hand, stabbing her. I don’t even know the lady. I never said not one word to the lady at all. That’s scary, ain’t it. Why would somebody stab somebody for no reason?”
Tracey, who herself had been attacked by Brown in 2022, responded by asking her brother: “Out of all people, why her? She’s from the Ukraine, she’s from Russia, and they had a war going on against the United States, so I’m just trying to understand, of all people, why her?”
Brown replied: “They just lashed out on her, that’s what happened. Whoever was working the materials, they lashed out on her. That’s all there is to it. Now they really gotta investigate what my body was exposed to... Now they gotta do an investigation as to who was the motive behind what happened."
His mother Michelle Dewitt told ABC News that her son had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, but had refused to take the medication he had been given.
Meanwhile, Tracey told The Daily Mail that her brother believes the government implanted a chip in him.
She said he had been spiraling since being released from prison in 2022 after a robbery conviction. In January, Brown called 911 to say his brain was being controlled by a microchip, but instead of receiving treatment, he was charged with misuse of the 911 system and released on cashless bail.
“He was a high risk. He was not in his right mind. He was not safe for society. We know what he has been dealing with the last three years. And now an innocent woman is dead,” she said.
His mother also said she tried to admit him to a long-term mental health facility but was unable to because she wasn’t his legal guardian.
“He was seeking help. He called 911 multiple times. Instead of talking to him, they thought charging him was going to help,” Tracey added.
Decarlos Brown Jr. Credit: Decarlos Brown Jr. / Instagram
Following the shocking killing, Trump took to Truth Social to demand swift capital punishment.
“The ANIMAL who so violently killed the beautiful young lady from Ukraine, who came to America searching for peace and safety, should be given a ‘Quick’ (there is no doubt!) Trial, and only awarded THE DEATH PENALTY. There can be no other option!!!” he wrote.
Attorney General Pam Bondi revealed that the Department of Justice will pursue the maximum penalty. “Brown would never again see the light of day as a free man,” she added.
Iryna Zarutska had fled the war in Ukraine. Credit: Iryna Zarutska / Instagram
In response to Zarutska's murder, North Carolina lawmakers have passed “Iryna’s Law”, a new criminal justice bill aimed at increasing mental health evaluations for defendants, toughening bail rules, and reopening the path for executions after nearly two decades.
“Brown should have never been allowed out of the jail,” said Republican Rep. Tricia Cotham during House debate. “The catch-and-release practices for violent offenders will end today with your support. This heinous act was preventable.”
us5 min(s) read
Published 08:46 12 Sep 2025 GMT
A 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who fled war for a new life in the U.S. was brutally stabbed to death on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Iryna Zarutska had resettled in the U.S. with dreams of becoming a veterinary assistant and was known as a “gifted and passionate artist.”
But on August 22, 2025, her life was cut short in a shocking public killing.
Surveillance footage revealed that Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, sat behind Zarutska on the train in Charlotte’s South End neighborhood before suddenly launching a violent attack with a pocketknife.
She was stabbed multiple times, including three times in the neck and hands.
About 30 seconds later, she collapsed.
Brown, who calmly walked away with blood still dripping from the knife, was arrested shortly after exiting the train and has been charged with first-degree murder.
Zarutska was pronounced dead on the scene.
Zarutska had become fluent in English, worked at Zepeddie’s pizzeria, and was remembered by her family as a warm and compassionate soul.
Her obituary read: “She will be remembered for her kindness, her creativity, and the lasting impression she left on everyone she met," adding, "Her absence leaves a deep void, but her spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved her."
In a statement issued through lawyers, her family said: “We are heartbroken beyond words.
"Iryna came here to find peace and safety, and instead, her life was stolen from her in the most horrific way.
"No family should have to go through this.”
Brown, a homeless man with a long criminal record, has been arrested at least 14 times since 2011, per NDTV.
Charges against him have included felony larceny, armed robbery, assault, breaking, and making threats, according to the NY Post.
He served a five-year sentence for armed robbery in 2014 and was released in September 2020.
Within five months, he was arrested again - this time for assaulting his own sister, Tracey, at her home in Charlotte.
In January of this year, Brown made a string of bizarre emergency 911 calls, claiming a “man-made material” was controlling his body and affecting basic functions like walking, eating, and speaking.
Officers told him it was a medical issue and there was “nothing further they could do,” according to an affidavit.
Despite the pattern of arrests and concerning behavior, Brown remained free and unsupervised at the time of the murder.
In a recorded jailhouse phone call to his sister on August 28, Brown revealed a disturbing lack of remorse and understanding about the crime.
“I hurt my hand, stabbing her. I don’t even know the lady. I never said not one word to the lady at all.
"That’s scary, ain’t it?
"Why would somebody stab somebody for no reason?”
When Tracey asked him why he targeted Zarutska, Brown replied: “They just lashed out on her, that’s what happened. Whoever was working the materials, they lashed out on her.
"That’s all there is to it. Now they really gotta investigate what my body was exposed to...
"Now they gotta do an investigation as to who was the motive behind what happened.”
Tracey Brown, who survived a violent attack by her brother in 2022, said he had long suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and believed he had a government chip implanted in him.
“A person that is hearing voices in their head and believes the world is against them, they’re going to break. And I think that night he broke,” she told PEOPLE.
She added: “He was a high risk. He was not in his right mind. He was not safe for society.
"We know what he has been dealing with the last three years. And now an innocent woman is dead.”
Their mother also attempted to place Brown in long-term mental care, but was unable to because she wasn’t his legal guardian.
“He was seeking help. He called 911 multiple times. Instead of talking to him, they thought charging him was going to help,” Tracey said.
The case has drawn sharp political attention.
President Donald Trump took to Truth Social, writing: “The ANIMAL who so violently killed the beautiful young lady from Ukraine, who came to America searching for peace and safety, should be given a ‘Quick’ (there is no doubt!) Trial, and only awarded THE DEATH PENALTY. There can be no other option!!!”
Trump also blamed Democratic policies and former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, now a Senate candidate, saying: “North Carolina, and every State, needs LAW AND ORDER, and only Republicans will deliver it!
"Additionally, where is the outrage from the Mainstream Media on this horrible tragedy? VOTE FOR MICHAEL WHATLEY FOR UNITED STATES SENATE, HE WON’T LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN!”
Tesla CEO Elon Musk echoed those sentiments, stating: “Death penalty cases where there is unequivocal guilt should move forward immediately.”
us5 min(s) read
Published 10:50 11 Sep 2025 GMT
The man accused of fatally stabbing a Ukrainian refugee, Iryna Zarutska, on a train has revealed his chilling explanation for the brutal attack in a recorded jailhouse call.
Zarutska, a 23-year-old woman who fled the war in Ukraine with her family in search of safety, was tragically killed on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 22, 2025.
Surveillance footage released by police shows Decarlos Brown Jr. sitting behind Zarutska for several minutes before suddenly lunging forward and stabbing her three times in the neck and hands with a pocket knife.
He then walked calmly through the carriage with the blade dripping blood.
After moving to the US, Zarutska became fluent in English, worked at Zepeddie’s pizzeria, and dreamed of becoming a veterinary assistant while sharing her creativity as a “gifted and passionate artist.”
Her heartbroken family wrote in her obituary that she will be "remembered for her kindness, her creativity, and the lasting impression she left on everyone she met," adding: "Her absence leaves a deep void, but her spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved her."
They also shared in a statement issued by lawyers: “We are heartbroken beyond words. Iryna came here to find peace and safety, and instead, her life was stolen from her in the most horrific way. No family should have to go through this.”
Brown was arrested shortly after the attack and has since been charged with first-degree murder, as well as federal charges that could bring life imprisonment or the death penalty.
President Donald Trump has demanded capital punishment: “The ANIMAL who so violently killed the beautiful young lady from Ukraine, who came to America searching for peace and safety, should be given a ‘Quick’ (there is no doubt!) Trial, and only awarded THE DEATH PENALTY. There can be no other option!!!”
Trump also said Zarutska's “blood is on the hands of the Democrats who refuse to put bad people in jail," and specifically blamed former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, now a Senate candidate in North Carolina, saying state policies allowed violent offenders to remain free.
According to The Independent, he added: “North Carolina, and every State, needs LAW AND ORDER, and only Republicans will deliver it! Additionally, where is the outrage from the Mainstream Media on this horrible tragedy? VOTE FOR MICHAEL WHATLEY FOR UNITED STATES SENATE, HE WON’T LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN!”
From jail, Brown gave a chilling explanation for the killing in a call to his sister Tracey.
“I hurt my hand, stabbing her. I don’t even know the lady. I never said not one word to the lady at all. That’s scary, ain’t it. Why would somebody stab somebody for no reason?” he said in the recorded call from August 28, obtained by the Daily Mail.
Tracey asked: “Out of all people, why her? She’s from the Ukraine, she’s from Russia, and they had a war going on against the United States, so I’m just trying to understand, of all people, why her?”
Brown responded: “They just lashed out on her, that’s what happened. Whoever was working the materials, they lashed out on her. That’s all there is to it. Now they really gotta investigate what my body was exposed to... Now they gotta do an investigation as to who was the motive behind what happened.”
Tracey, who was attacked by her brother in 2022, said he is a paranoid schizophrenic who often claimed the government implanted a chip in him. “A person that is hearing voices in their head and believes the world is against them, they’re going to break. And I think that night he broke,” she said, per PEOPLE.
She said Brown’s decline worsened after he was released from prison in 2022 following a robbery conviction. In January, he called 911 to claim his brain was being controlled by a microchip. Instead of treatment, he was arrested for “misuse of the 911 system” and later granted cashless bail.
“He was a high risk. He was not in his right mind. He was not safe for society. We know what he has been dealing with the last three years. And now an innocent woman is dead,” Tracey said.
Tracey's mother added that she had tried to place Brown in a long-term mental care facility, but couldn’t because she was not his legal guardian.
“He was seeking help. He called 911 multiple times. Instead of talking to him, they thought charging him was going to help,” Tracey added.
Zarutska’s relatives are now calling not only for justice, but also for systemic change. They urged prosecutors to lock up Brown and address what they described as a “broader crisis in public safety and systemic failure".
us3 min(s) read
Published 09:11 10 Sep 2025 GMT
The family of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, is speaking out after she was fatally stabbed on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, last month.
The brutal murder, captured on surveillance footage, has left her family devastated and demanding justice for the young woman whose life was taken in a senseless attack.
Zarutska’s life was ended by 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr., a repeat offender with a history of mental health issues. The incident, which occurred in late August 2025, has sparked outrage as her family calls attention to the broader issues of public safety and systemic failures in the local justice system.
In a statement released on Tuesday, a spokesperson for Zarutska's family expressed their profound grief. “We are heartbroken beyond words. Iryna came here to find peace and safety, and instead her life was stolen from her in the most horrific way,” they said, per WSOC-9. “No family should have to go through this.”
Brown, who has been arrested 14 times prior to the murder, was released from jail earlier this year under questionable conditions. Despite his history of criminal behavior and known struggles with schizophrenia, a magistrate judge set his release terms so lax that he was able to walk free in January. Zarutska’s relatives believe the tragedy could have been avoided had authorities acted differently.
Jeremiah Brown, Decarlos's brother, also spoke about the tragedy and his belief that the murder might have been prevented. “I think they could have pretty much prevented it then,” he said, referring to the judge’s decision to release Decarlos despite his extensive criminal record. “I hope they get the support they need,” Jeremiah added, expressing sympathy for the victim's family while also calling for accountability.
The shocking footage of the attack shows Brown sitting behind Zarutska for several minutes before standing up, unsheathing a knife, and stabbing her multiple times. The brutality of the murder has left the Charlotte community reeling. “He could do it again,” Jeremiah warned, emphasizing that although his brother needs treatment for his mental health issues, there must be consequences for his actions. “I think he should suffer the consequences.”
The family is also urging the public and the media to respect Zarutska's dignity by refraining from sharing the graphic footage of her death, which has been circulating online.
In addition to local charges, Decarlos Brown Jr. now faces federal charges related to the murder, as he committed the crime on a mass transportation system. The Justice Department filed the charges on Tuesday, adding another layer to the case as authorities seek to hold him accountable for his actions.
This tragic incident has drawn attention to larger issues within the local justice system, with critics pointing to the lenient release of repeat offenders as a contributing factor. As the investigation continues, Zarutska’s family is determined to see justice served and to bring attention to the flaws that allowed this tragedy to unfold.
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