GoFundMe removes fundraising campaigns for accused Ukrainian refugee killer

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GoFundMe mentioned that it eliminated a number of 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 Phrases of Service explicitly prohibit fundraisers for the authorized protection of anybody formally charged with a violent crime. In step with this long-standing coverage, all fundraisers for Decarlos Brown Jr.’s authorized protection have been faraway from the platform, and any donors have been absolutely refunded," an organization spokesperson informed Fox Information Digital.

Based on info reviewed by Fox Information Digital, the campaigns had been taken down inside hours of being flagged. GoFundMe declined to specify what number of pages had been eliminated however emphasised that it actively scans for and blocks makes an attempt to launch campaigns on behalf of people dealing with violent fees.

The corporate’s motion adopted social media backlash over the fundraisers, with critics turning to social media to lambaste the fundraiser for the homicide suspect as "an insult" to the 23-year-old sufferer.

CHILLING VIDEO SHOWS MOMENTS BEFORE UKRAINIAN REFUGEE STABBED TO DEATH ON CHARLOTTE LIGHT RAIL

Iryna Zarutska was fatally stabbed 3 times with a folding knife throughout what police described as a random assault on Aug. 22. (Instagram/ lucaveros225)

Zarutska, 23, fled Ukraine together with her household in 2022 to flee Russia’s battle earlier than settling in Charlotte, in line with her obituary. She was working at a neighborhood pizzeria, Zepeddie's Pizza, on the time of her dying. Fox Information Digital has reached out to Zepeddie's for remark.

"Just lately, our Zepeddie’s household suffered an amazing loss. We misplaced not solely an unbelievable worker however a real good friend. Our expensive Iryna left this world far too quickly, and our hearts are heavy with grief. Since her passing, we've stored a candle burning in her reminiscence—a small reminder of the heat, kindness and light-weight she introduced into our lives each single day. We're so grateful for the love, assist and prayers we’ve acquired throughout this troublesome time," Zepeddie’s Pizza mentioned in a press release. "Iryna, we miss you greater than phrases can say. You'll perpetually be in our hearts."

Pals remembered Iryna Zarutska as kind-hearted and artistic. She studied artwork and dreamed of working with animals as a veterinary assistant. (Instagram/ lucaveros225)

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Her household described Zarutska as a passionate artist and graduate of Synergy Faculty in Kyiv, the place she earned a level in Artwork and Restoration. She was remembered for her creativity, her love of animals, her dedication and her eagerness to study.

WATCH: Ukrainian refugee stabbed to dying on Charlotte gentle rail

On Aug. 22, in line with courtroom paperwork obtained by Fox Information Digital, authorities discovered Zarutska stabbed to dying on the Lynx Blue Line after she sat in entrance of Brown, who allegedly pulled out a folding knife and attacked her with out provocation.

Surveillance video reviewed by Fox Information Digital exhibits Zarutska boarding the prepare simply after 9:45 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22. Sporting her pizzeria uniform, she is seen scrolling on her cellphone as a person in a pink hoodie sits behind her.

<source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/09/672/378/split-image-decarlos-brown-mug-shot-charlotte-train.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/09/1344/756/split-image-decarlos-brown-mug-shot-charlotte-train.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="378" width="672"><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/09/931/523/split-image-decarlos-brown-mug-shot-charlotte-train.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/09/1862/1046/split-image-decarlos-brown-mug-shot-charlotte-train.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"> L-R: A mugshot of Decarlos Brown; surveillance footage exhibiting Brown on the sunshine rail prepare. (Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Workplace; CATS)

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Round 4 minutes later, the person pulls out a knife and begins stabbing Zarutska 3 times, together with within the neck. Based on the affidavit, Zarutska was stabbed in the course of her throat.

He's charged with first-degree homicide beneath North Carolina legislation and is being held with out bond.

Information obtained by Fox Information Digital reveal that Brown has a lengthy criminal history spanning greater than a decade. His convictions embody larceny and breaking and coming into in 2013, in addition to a 2015 conviction for theft with a harmful weapon, for which he served greater than six years in jail. He was launched in 2020 and remained on parole till 2021. Newer fees included speaking threats and misuse of the 911 system earlier this yr.

Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska got here to the U.S. to flee battle however was stabbed to dying in Charlotte. (EVGENIYA RUSH on GoFundMe)

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Whereas campaigns to lift cash for Brown’s protection have been shut down, a separate, verified fundraiser supporting Zarutska’s household stays energetic on GoFundMe.

The stabbing dying on public transportation has renewed requires elevated public security throughout cities in America.

President Donald Trump talked about the stabbing throughout remarks on the Museum of the Bible.

"We're all individuals of faith, however there are evil individuals," Trump mentioned. "And we've to confront that. I simply give my love and hope to the household of the younger girl who was stabbed this morning or final evening in Charlotte by a madman."