Fundraising site GoFundMe has removed two pages that were launched in a bid to raise cash for alleged murderer Decarlos Brown Jr.
Brown, 34, has been charged with the murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, 23, who was killed on a train in North Carolina on August 22.
It is alleged that Brown, reportedly a career criminal, stabbed Zarutska in the neck with a folding knife minutes after she sat down in the train, shortly before 10 p.m.
Highlights
- GoFundMe removed two fundraising pages supporting Decarlos Brown Jr., charged with murdering Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a North Carolina train.
- Decarlos Brown Jr., with 14 prior court cases, including robbery and breaking and entering, allegedly stabbed 23-year-old Zarutska shortly after she boarded.
- Fundraisers claiming Brown was failed by the justice and mental health systems to raise legal defense funds were removed for violating GoFundMe's terms.
Decarlos Brown Jr. was charged with the murder of Iryna Zarutska
Image credits: Mecklenburg Sheriff
Zarutska, who fled Ukraine in 2023 after Russia’s invasion in 2022, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Over the weekend, screenshots showing fundraising pages that had been set up to help Brown sparked outrage after being circulated widely online.
A statement on one of those pages read: “While what happened on the Blue Line was a tragedy, what we mustn’t lose sight of is the fact that Decarlos Brown Jr. was failed categorically by the judicial system and the mental health services of North Carolina, and as such is not entirely to blame for what happened.
“As it is so, we endeavor to raise funds for his legal defense and hope to avoid punitive sentencing and to also get him the aid he requires.”
Image credits: Instagram/ Iryna Zarutska
GoFundMe has now removed both pages for violating its terms and conditions.
“GoFundMe’s Terms of Service explicitly prohibit fundraisers that raise money for the legal defense of anyone formally charged with an alleged violent crime,” it said in a statement.
“Consistent with this long-standing policy, this fundraiser has been removed from the platform and the donors who contributed to the fundraiser have been fully refunded.”
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) released surveillance footage of the incident, which happened on the Lynx Blue Line near Camden Road.
Image credits: X
It showed a man, alleged to be Brown, sitting by the window wearing a red hooded top.
Zarutska could be seen sitting down in front of that seat and scrolling on her phone before the man removed a knife from his pocket, unfolded it, and lunged towards her neck.
Clips filmed after the attack show the same man walking down the train carriage as a trail of blood drips behind him.
He is also seen to remove his red sweatshirt before exiting the carriage.
Brown sustained a hand injury during the alleged attack, so it is not clear if the trail of blood was his own.
Both fundraising pages for Brown were removed
Image credits: WBTV
He was taken to hospital for treatment to the minor injury and was later charged with first degree murder.
After Brown was named by police, reports emerged of his extensive criminal history.
WCNC reported that Brown has 14 previous court cases in Mecklenburg County and in 2015 was sentenced to six years imprisonment for robbery with a dangerous weapon, breaking and entering, and larceny.
The outlet said he was homeless and also faced a case of alleged 911 misuse in July of this year. His attorney had filed a motion to have his competency assessed.
Image credits: X
After footage showing the train attack was released, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles posted on X and urged people not to share the video.
“The video of the heartbreaking attack that took Iryna Zarutska’s life is now public. I want to thank our media partners and community members who have chosen not to repost or share the footage out of respect for Iryna’s family,” she wrote.
“This was a senseless and tragic loss. My prayers remain with her loved ones as they continue to grieve through an unimaginable time. Like so many of you, I’m heartbroken — and I’ve been thinking hard about what safety really looks like in our city.”
Image credits: Instagram
“I remain committed to doing all we can to protect our residents and ensure Charlotte is a place where everyone feels safe.”
Lyles’ post was criticized by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
“Charlotte’s Mayor doesn’t want the media to show you the ugly truth. Why? Because she and other public officials in her city bear responsibility,” he wrote on X.
WARNING: This footage contains graphic content
“This monster had a track record longer than a CVS receipt, including prison time for robbery with a dangerous weapon, breaking and entering, and larceny.
“By failing to properly punish him, Charlotte failed Iryna Zarutska and North Carolinians.”