A man charged with the brutal stabbing death of a young Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte light rail train has been found mentally incompetent to stand trial, according to court documents filed this month.
Lynx Blue Line from UNC Charlotte/Main to Parkwood Station – Inside View
Decarlos Brown Jr., 35, underwent a psychiatric evaluation at Central Regional Hospital on December 29. A report concluded he is “incapable to proceed” under North Carolina law. His defense attorney disclosed the findings in an April 7 motion, requesting a 180-day postponement of the competency hearing originally set for April 30.
The development is a major turn in the case involving the killing of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old who had escaped the war in Ukraine and was building a new life in Charlotte when she was killed.
Greenville mural honors Iryna Zarutska, Ukrainian refugee killed on Charlotte train
North Carolina law requires that a defendant understand the court proceedings, grasp their own circumstances, and meaningfully assist in their defense to be fit for trial. If a judge accepts the hospital’s assessment, the charges could be dismissed—potentially without prejudice, meaning they could be reinstated if Brown’s competency is later restored.
Prosecutors have not objected to the delay. Brown also faces separate federal charges, including violence against a mass transportation system resulting in death. He is currently in federal custody in Chicago, and his lawyer contends that the state competency hearing cannot move forward while he remains under federal jurisdiction.
The case has captured national headlines, highlighting not only the shocking violence but also deeper issues around mental health treatment and the justice system.
The deadly attack took place in late August on a Lynx Blue Line train in Charlotte. Surveillance video showed Zarutska sitting peacefully, scrolling on her phone, completely unaware of the threat behind her.
Brown, seated directly behind her, unfolded a pocket knife and launched a sudden, unprovoked assault, stabbing her multiple times in the neck. She died at the scene from her injuries. Video also revealed that bystanders did not immediately step in or offer aid during the attack.
Afterward, Brown reportedly walked through the train car with blood trailing behind him before being arrested shortly thereafter.
Zarutska’s tragic death sent shockwaves through the community and the nation, prompting lawmakers to strengthen bail policies. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein signed “Iryna’s Law,” which limits cashless bail for violent offenders and repeat suspects.
At the time of the incident, Brown had been released on a written promise to appear after an arrest for a false 911 call. He had a lengthy criminal record with at least 14 prior arrests since 2007, including charges for assault, robbery, and firearms offenses.
Family members have said Brown has struggled with mental illness for years. His mother has publicly stated he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Court records also mention a previous encounter where Brown claimed a “man-made material” inside his body was controlling him.
Competency now lies at the heart of the proceedings. If formally ruled incompetent, state law calls for the case to be paused while restoration efforts are made. However, placement in psychiatric facilities is limited, and waits can stretch for months or longer.
A similar North Carolina case in 2020 saw murder charges dismissed against a defendant found incompetent after repeated evaluations, with the possibility of refiling if competency returned.
Brown’s federal case is proceeding separately, though he has also been ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation there. That process remains ongoing and has been extended.
The heartbreaking loss of Iryna Zarutska continues to serve as a stark reminder of the risks in public spaces and the difficult overlap between mental health challenges and criminal justice.