GoFundMe announced the removal of several fundraising campaigns that were initiated on behalf of Decarlos Brown Jr., the former convict charged with the stabbing and murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a light-rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“GoFundMe’s Terms of Service clearly state that fundraisers for the legal defense of individuals officially charged with violent crimes are not allowed. In line with this established rule, all fundraisers for Decarlos Brown Jr.’s legal expenses have been taken down from the site, and all contributors have been completely refunded,” a company representative informed Fox News Digital.
As per details observed by Fox News Digital, the campaigns were removed within mere hours after being reported. GoFundMe did not disclose the exact number of pages deleted but stressed that it continuously monitors and prevents any efforts to set up campaigns for individuals with violent criminal charges.
The company’s decision came in response to social media outrage concerning the fundraisers, with users online criticizing the campaign for the man accused of murder as “a disgrace” to the 23-year-old victim.
Approximately four minutes later, the individual drew a knife and proceeded to stab Zarutska three times, including a stab to the neck. According to the affidavit, Zarutska was stabbed in the center of her throat.
He is charged with first-degree murder under North Carolina law and is being held without bond.
Documents accessed by Fox News Digital show that Brown has an extensive criminal record spanning over ten years. His past offenses include theft and breaking and entering in 2013, along with a 2015 conviction for armed robbery, for which he spent over six years in prison. He was released in 2020 and was on parole until 2021. More recent misconduct involves making threats and abusing the emergency services system earlier this year.
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.”
