Bodycam Footage Reveals Disturbing Claims by Light Rail Murder Suspect
Newly obtained bodycam footage has surfaced, capturing Charlotte light rail murder suspect DeCarlos Brown Jr. making shocking claims months before he allegedly killed a woman on the train. The footage shows Brown asserting that a “man-made material” inside his body was controlling his actions, raising questions about his mental state during the incident.
Key Points / What’s New
- Bodycam footage reveals DeCarlos Brown Jr. claiming he is under control of a foreign substance.
- Brown called 911 himself months before the August incident involving the stabbing of Iryna Zarutska.
- Authorities labeled the alleged stabbing as unprovoked and violent.
- Brown has a significant criminal history, including convictions for various offenses.
Footage Highlights Suspect’s Distress
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department released the bodycam footage captured during a welfare check on Brown in January. In a 30-minute encounter, Brown told officers that something unnatural was inside him, which he claimed controlled all functions of his body, including his dietary choices. Officers at the scene asked him about these assertions, prompting Brown to insist that this “material” was placed within him without his consent.
During the encounter, Brown requested police intervention, stating that medical personnel lacked the ability to evaluate his unique condition. Despite his troubling comments, the police did not take steps to commit him involuntarily, as he did not express any intention to harm himself or others.
Details Surrounding the Fatal Stabbing
Brown’s episode with law enforcement occurred several months before he is accused of fatally stabbing Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, on a Charlotte light rail train in August 2025. The attack has been characterized by authorities as unprovoked, raising concerns about public safety in transit systems.
Despite previous psychiatric evaluations suggesting schizophrenia, Brown claimed that these assessments were incorrect, asserting that he was “mentally perfect.” Following the January incident, he was arrested for misusing the 911 system after placing a second call for assistance while officers were still present.
Background
Brown has a prior criminal history that includes convictions for larceny, breaking and entering, and armed robbery. He started serving a five-year prison sentence in 2015. The police footage is the latest development in a case that has garnered significant public and media attention due to its violent nature and implications for mental health awareness.
