Homeless man accused of killing Ukrainian refugee has long, disturbing rap sheet

A tragic incident unfolded at a train station in Charlotte when a homeless man with a disturbing criminal history allegedly murdered a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee named Iryna Zarutska. The suspect, Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, has a lengthy rap sheet dating back to 2011, which includes charges of felony larceny, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and communicating threats.

Brown had previously served five years in prison for armed robbery before being arrested for assaulting his own sister just months after his release in September 2020. The attack left his sister with minor injuries, according to police reports. In February 2021, Brown was involved in another incident where he asked police to investigate a “man-made material” inside his body that he claimed was controlling his actions.

The most recent arrest before the fatal stabbing of Zarutska occurred in January, when Brown called 911 claiming a medical issue. When officers could not provide further assistance, Brown became upset and was arrested for abusing the 911 system. The tragic incident at the train station occurred just before 10 p.m., where Zarutska was ambushed by Brown with a knife and suffered multiple stab wounds, leading to her death at the scene.

Zarutska had recently arrived in the United States as a refugee from Ukraine, seeking safety from the war and hoping for a fresh start. A GoFundMe page was set up to support her family during this heartbreaking time. The community mourns the loss of a young and promising life, while the suspect’s troubled past raises questions about the justice system’s handling of repeat offenders.