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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The brother of accused light-rail butcher Decarlos Brown Jr. blamed the system that allowed the mentally ill ex-con to go free on cashless bail for the horrific murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska — and said his kin should suffer the consequences.
“I think they could have pretty much prevented it then,” Jeremiah, who shares a father with Brown, told The Post — referring to the lax terms that a magistrate judge set for Decarlos Brown Jr. when he was released from jail for a prior arrest in January.
Brown, 34, a schizophrenic homeless man with a prison record and numerous arrests for violence, now stands accused of murdering the 23-year-old, who fled war-torn Ukraine with her mother, brother and sister in 2022 to start a new life in America.
This booking photo provided by the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, shows Decarlos Brown Jr., who is charged with the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee. AP“I didn’t even know he had mental problems … You can’t just let him walk free especially because of mental issues,” Jeremiah said.
“He could do it again. They should still treat him for his mental issues but there are consequences for his actions.
“I think he should suffer the consequences.”
Jeremiah, 19, said he was shocked to see Brown — whom he’s only met “once or twice” — on the news last month, but revealed that his family has a troubled history of violence.
Surveillance video released by the Charlotte Area Transit System shows Iryna Zarutska reacting to being stabbed by Decarlos Brown Jr. on a light-rail train in Charlotte, Aug. 22, 2025.
“He was on my father’s side. They have a record of being in jail and stuff,” he said.
Follow the latest on the shocking murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte:
- Madman accused of slaughtering Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte train raves at judge as he’s ruled not fit for trial — a second time
- Trump admin vows Iryna Zarutska’s accused killer will face justice after he’s found mentally incompetent to stand trial
- Mayor calls mural of Ukrainian refugee ‘divisive’ after train stabbing death
- Murdered Ukrainian refugee’s mom breaks down during SOTU as Trump rips Dems: ‘How do you not stand?’
The father, Decarlos Sr., and older brother Stacey both did time for violent crimes.
Stacey Dejon Brown is in prison for a 2014 murder.
Stacey, now 32, is serving 27 to 36 years in prison for the 2014 murder of 65-year-old Robert Heym in Charlotte, whom Stacey and another man, Rodderick Derrick Crawford, shot dead during a robbery, according to WBTV.
In a chilling parallel, Stacey, whose mugshot bears a striking resemblance to his murder-suspect half-brother, took the Charlotte light rail to escape after the shooting.
Jeremiah said he was in elementary school when the killing happened, and that he remembers seeing his older brother on a news report at the time, much like he’s seeing Decarlos Jr. now.
Stabbing victim Iryna Zarutska in an undated social media photo. Instagram/ Iryna ZarutskaHe also confirmed a photo of his father, Decarlos Sr., who has prior arrests for breaking and entering, felony conspiracy, larceny and possession of a weapon on the University of North Carolina-Charlotte campus.
Jeremiah said he hasn’t had much contact with his father, who lives near the university.
The Justice Department has charged Decarlos Jr. with first-degree murder. US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Tuesday that the DOJ would be “seeking the maximum penalty for this unforgivable crime, and that he will never again see the light of day as a free man.”
Jeremiah said he feels awful for Zarutska and her family.
“I hope for the family impacted by the lady on the train,” he said.
“I hope they get the support they need.”
