Decarlos Brown Was a Known Threat to Himself and Others

The murder of Iryna Zarutska on Friday August 22 before 10 pm was totally preventable.

From CMPD PIO

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s (CMPD) Homicide Unit are conducting a homicide investigation in the 1800 block of Camden Road in the Central Division.

On Friday, August 22, shortly before 10 p.m., officers responded to an Assault with a Deadly Weapon call for service in the 1800 block of Camden Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered one victim with sustained knife wounds. The subject was pronounced on the scene by MEDIC.

Currently, a person of interest is in custody.

Several hours later CMPD again released a statement:

The victim in this case has been identified as Iryna Zarutska, 23.

As a result of the continued investigation, Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, was identified as a suspect in this case. Brown was transported to Atrium Health with non-life-threatening injuries sustained at the time of the incident.

Brown will be arrested upon his release. He is charged with First Degree Murder.

As a result of the continued investigation, Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, was identified as a suspect in this case. Brown was transported to Atrium Health with non-life-threatening injuries sustained at the time of the incident.

Brown will be arrested upon his release. He is charged with First Degree Murder.

Troubling Facts

Brown has a nealy 20 year history of arrests. Most were dismissed by the Meck DA's Office.

He has prior convictions for Felony B&E, Theft in excess of $1,000 and Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon. He has spent nearly 9 years of his life behind bars. 

Most recently released from prison on September 20, 2020 with a follow on period of parole that ended on September 20, 2021.

Brown was arrested once in 2022 twice in 2024 and most recently in January of this year:

From the CMPD January Charging Document on the January arrest:

On 01/19/2025 officers responded to 200 Hawthorne Ln (Novant Presbyterian Hospital) in reference to check the welfare call for service at approximately 2122 hrs. Once on scene, officers spoke with the defendant, Decarlos Brown, who advised that he believed someone gave him a "man-made" material that controlled when he ate, walked, talked, etc. 

Brown wanted officers to investigate this "man-made" material that was inside of his body. 

Officers advised Brown that the issue was medical issue and that there was nothing further they could do. 

Brown became upset with the officers answers and with officers still on the scene, and he called 911 to speak with police.

After Brown got off of the phone with 911 he was placed under arrest and charged with: Misuse of 911 (M)

They Knew this MoFo was Nuts

Just last month Brianna Buford, Assistant Public Defender filed a motion in court "QUESTIONING DEFENDANT'S CAPACITY TO PROCEED" and Judge Roy Wiggins signed the order for a "Forensic Evaluation" on July 28, 2025.

Buford was clearly aware that her client was mentally incapacitated. Yet he was allowed to remain free and in the public realm. This left him as a threat to others as well as himself.

Less than a month later he would stab to death a young 23 year old woman, Iryna Zarutska.