Mecklenburg County Sheriff Meets Rapper Dababy Amid Controversy
Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden recently sat down with rapper Dababy, just weeks after Charlotte native Dread Dretoversy filmed a music video recreating the stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska.
The Sheriff’s Office shared a photo of the meeting on social media Saturday evening, showing both men displaying peace signs while seated together in what appears to be a private setting.
In the caption, the office mentioned that the duo discussed important topics and possible collaboration. However, specifics about their conversation weren’t disclosed, and a spokesperson did not respond to inquiries for further comments.
This sit-down follows some controversy Dababy stirred with a voluntary “Save Me” music video. The video reenacts the attack on Zarutska, who was fatally stabbed at 23, during a ride on a Charlotte Area Transit System train.
In the video, an actor portrays Zarutska and her attacker, identified as DeCarlos Brown Jr. The beginning features a news snippet, before transitioning to a dramatized scene with Dababy intervening in the attack.
It ends on an uplifting note, showing the female character unharmed, along with screenshots of a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $471,000 for Zarutska’s family.
Zarutska reportedly worked at a local pizza shop before her tragic death on August 22, during what prosecutors have described as an unprovoked attack by Brown, a homeless man with a lengthy criminal history. Surveillance footage captured the incident, which subsequently went viral.
Brown has pleaded not guilty to murder charges and is currently being held without bond. Dababy has claimed that his project was intended as a tribute to Zarutska and sought to support fundraising efforts. However, Charlotte Transit officials stated that he filmed the scene on a train without prior approval, leading to his crew being escorted off the property.
Dababy—who gained fame with his hit “Suge” in 2019—has faced scrutiny throughout his career, recently dealing with backlash after making homophobic comments during a performance in 2021, which impacted his festival appearances and brand partnerships.
He has also encountered legal issues, including a self-defense claim after shooting a man inside a Walmart in 2018 and another incident four years later involving an intruder at his home, without charges arising from either case.
Sheriff McFadden, a prominent figure in Charlotte since 2018 and a former murder detective, himself faces allegations of fostering a hostile work environment and using racially insensitive language—claims he denies. His administration has also drawn criticism for prison management practices.
As of Sunday, Dababy’s “Save Me” video had exceeded two million views on YouTube, while the active GoFundMe campaign for Zarutska’s family continues to grow.
