The man accused of brutally stabbing Ukrainian refugee Irina Zarutska to death on a Charlotte subway came from a family riddled with a history of violence and murder.
Decarlos Brown Jr., 31, the man who murdered Zarutska, was no stranger to committing crimes or even going to prison for his violent actions in the past. Reportedly, neither were his closest family members.
Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Brown Jr. had racked up at least 14 arrests ranging from robbery with a dangerous weapon to felony larceny and assault. Even so, in January, a judge allowed him to walk free on a “written promise,” as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Brown Jr.’s story is part of a bigger picture.
- His father, Brown Sr., has been arrested for breaking and entering, larceny, felony conspiracy, and possession of a weapon on a college campus.
- His older brother, Stacey Dejon Brown, is serving a 27–36-year sentence for a 2014 murder. Along with an accomplice, Stacey gunned down 65-year-old Robert Heym during a robbery and then fled the scene on the Charlotte light rail, according to WBTV.
Brown Jr.’s half-brother, Jeremiah, has spoken openly about the family’s history of crime, telling the New York Post, “He was on my father’s side. They have a record of being in jail and stuff….”
“I think he should suffer the consequences,” his half-brother added.
Despite his long history of violent crimes, Brown Jr. was freed to kill. For a woman who fled war in Ukraine to find peace in America, this outcome was a cruel twist of fate.
President Donald Trump put it bluntly on his Truth Social platform, 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!!!”