GoFundMe pulls fundraisers for felon accused of killing commuter in random Charlotte train attack
Share and Follow

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

GoFundMe said that it removed multiple fundraising campaigns created on behalf of Decarlos Brown Jr., the ex-convict accused of stabbing and killing Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska aboard a Charlotte, North Carolina, light-rail train.

“GoFundMe’s Terms of Service explicitly prohibit fundraisers for the legal defense of anyone formally charged with a violent crime. Consistent with this long-standing policy, all fundraisers for Decarlos Brown Jr.’s legal defense have been removed from the platform, and any donors have been fully refunded,” a company spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

According to information reviewed by Fox News Digital, the campaigns were taken down within hours of being flagged. GoFundMe declined to specify how many pages were removed but emphasized that it actively scans for and blocks attempts to launch campaigns on behalf of individuals facing violent charges.

The company’s action followed social media backlash over the fundraisers, with critics turning to social media to lambaste the fundraiser for the murder suspect as “an insult” to the 23-year-old victim.

Around four minutes later, the man pulls out a knife and begins stabbing Zarutska three times, including in the neck. According to the affidavit, Zarutska was stabbed in the middle of her throat. 

He is charged with first-degree murder under North Carolina law and is being held without bond. 

Records obtained by Fox News Digital reveal that Brown has a lengthy criminal history spanning more than a decade. His convictions include larceny and breaking and entering in 2013, as well as a 2015 conviction for robbery with a dangerous weapon, for which he served more than six years in prison. He was released in 2020 and remained on parole until 2021. More recent charges included communicating threats and misuse of the 911 system earlier this year.

Iryna Zarutska

Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska came to the U.S. to escape war but was stabbed to death in Charlotte. (EVGENIYA RUSH on GoFundMe)

While campaigns to raise money for Brown’s defense have been shut down, a separate, verified fundraiser supporting Zarutska’s family remains active on GoFundMe. 

The stabbing death on public transportation has renewed calls for increased public safety across cities in America.

President Donald Trump mentioned the stabbing during remarks at the Museum of the Bible.

“We’re all people of religion, but there are evil people,” Trump said. “And we have to confront that. I just give my love and hope to the family of the young woman who was stabbed this morning or last night in Charlotte by a madman.”

Fox News Digital’s Bradford Betz and Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Zelenskyy says fresh Russian attack on Ukraine shows Putin's 'true attitude' ahead of Trump meeting

Zelenskyy Highlights Putin’s Aggression in New Russian Assault as Trump Meeting Approaches

A renewed onslaught by Russia targeting Kyiv with a barrage of drones…
Sam Bankman-Fried's ex-girlfriend set to be released from prison EARLY

Sam Bankman-Fried’s Former Partner to Receive Early Prison Release

Caroline Ellison, once romantically linked to disgraced cryptocurrency figure Sam Bankman-Fried, is…
Chevy Chase came back from dead after 2021 heart scale and hospitalization

Chevy Chase’s Miraculous Comeback: From Heart Scare to Revival in 2023

Chevy Chase is candidly sharing details about a medical emergency that resulted…
MTG enjoys exotic getaway despite STILL being on Congress payroll

Controversy Brews as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Embarks on Exotic Vacation While Remaining on Congressional Salary

Marjorie Taylor Greene and her fiancé celebrated a romantic Christmas getaway in…
Travel news today: Holiday rush picks up in Chicago area as weather hits East, West Coasts as Midway airport sees busiest day

Travel Update: Chicago’s Midway Airport Experiences Peak Traffic as Weather Challenges Hit East and West Coasts

The Transportation Security Administration is forecasting that 2025 will once again break…
Texas father rescues kidnapped daughter by tracing her phone's location, sheriff's office says

Texas Dad Tracks Down Kidnapped Daughter Using Her Phone’s Location, Authorities Report

In a dramatic rescue in Texas, a father managed to locate and…
Why the Times Square New Year’s Eve ball will drop twice in 2026

Exploring the Unprecedented: Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball to Drop Twice in 2026

For the first time ever, Times Square will host a ball drop…
Trump calls on DOJ to 'release all names' in Epstein files

Trump Urges DOJ to Disclose Complete List of Names in Epstein Files

Donald Trump has urged his Department of Justice to “release all names”…