CHARLOTTE, NC (LOOTPRESS) – GoFundMe has removed several fundraising campaigns launched in support of Decarlos Brown Jr., the man accused of fatally stabbing Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska aboard a Charlotte light-rail train.
The company confirmed that the pages violated its long-standing policy, which prohibits raising money for the legal defense of individuals charged with violent crimes.
“GoFundMe’s Terms of Service explicitly prohibit fundraisers for the legal defense of anyone formally charged with a violent crime,” a company spokesperson said. “Consistent with this policy, all fundraisers for Decarlos Brown Jr. have been removed, and donors have been fully refunded.”
The campaigns were taken down within hours of being flagged, according to information reviewed by Fox News Digital. While GoFundMe did not specify how many pages were deleted, the company stressed that it actively monitors the platform for attempts to create fundraisers on behalf of violent offenders.
The decision came after social media backlash, where critics described the campaigns as disrespectful to Zarutska, who was just 23 years old.
Zarutska fled Ukraine with her family in 2022 to escape Russia’s invasion and had since built a new life in Charlotte. She worked at Zepeddie’s Pizza, where coworkers remembered her as both a dedicated employee and a cherished friend.
“Recently, our Zepeddie’s family suffered a tremendous loss. We lost not only an incredible employee but a true friend,” the restaurant said in a statement. “Iryna left this world far too soon, and our hearts are heavy with grief. We are so grateful for the love, support, and prayers we’ve received during this difficult time.”
Her family described her as a passionate artist and graduate of Synergy College in Kyiv, where she studied Art and Restoration. She was remembered for her creativity, love of animals, and determination.
According to court documents, Zarutska was killed on the evening of Aug. 22 while riding the Lynx Blue Line. Surveillance footage shows her sitting on the train in her work uniform, scrolling on her phone, when a man seated behind her suddenly pulled out a folding knife and stabbed her multiple times, including in the throat.
Brown, who has a lengthy criminal history, is charged with first-degree murder and is being held without bond. His prior convictions include larceny, breaking and entering, and armed robbery, for which he served more than six years in prison. More recently, he faced charges of communicating threats and misusing the 911 system.
While GoFundMe has shut down efforts to raise money for Brown’s defense, a verified fundraiser to assist Zarutska’s family remains active.
The killing has sparked fresh concern about public safety on mass transit systems nationwide.
Former President Donald Trump referenced the case during remarks at the Museum of the Bible, saying: “We’re all people of religion, but there are evil people. And we have to confront that. I just give my love and hope to the family of the young woman who was stabbed in Charlotte by a madman.”
