Crime in the Brown Family
The recent stabbing of a young Ukrainian woman on a light rail train in Charlotte has brought attention to the troubled past of DeCarlos Brown Jr., the accused assailant.
Documents from the court and law enforcement indicate a pattern of crime within his family. Stacey Dejon Brown, the brother of the suspect, is serving a lengthy sentence of 27-36 years for murdering a 65-year-old man during a robbery back in 2012.
Additionally, Brown’s sister, Tracy Vontry Brown, 33, has a criminal history that includes misdemeanors and felonies like theft and resisting arrest.
Fox News Digital attempted to reach out to Vontrae Brown, seeking more information.
Family Seeks Justice
The family of the victim, Iryna Zarutska, has expressed their profound grief over the shocking murder, marking their first public statement since the incident.
Their father, DeCarlos Brown Sr., also has a criminal history—including break-ins and felony conspiracy. Attempts to contact him for a statement were unsuccessful.
This troubling legacy of crime in the Brown family culminated in the recent incident, where Brown Jr. is facing federal charges related to the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska.
A History of Violence
Evidence suggests that Brown Jr.’s brother, Stacey, once used the very same light rail to evade law enforcement right after his crime in 2012.
Prosecutors say that Stacey was involved in violent crimes from armed robbery to murder in 2014.” He, along with an accomplice, managed to board a train to escape the scene of a shooting.
Fast forward to August 22, 2025—Zarutska was fatally attacked on the train, with the encounter captured on surveillance cameras. According to a complaint from the DOJ, Brown Jr. was seen leaving the train and was “dripping with blood.”
Reports state that Zarutska was attacked with a pocket knife, suffering three stab wounds to her neck.
Seeking Justice for Iryna
Federal authorities recently announced that Brown Jr. has been indicted for actions leading to Zarutska’s death, emphasizing the need for public safety on mass transit. Her family expressed that she likely rode that train regularly, perhaps after long days of work, hoping to go home safely—a hope that was tragically cut short.
As the process unfolds, the community is left mourning a life taken too soon and grappling with the reality of violence in what should be safe spaces.
Brown faces first-degree murder charges in state court concerning Zarutska’s death.
