Internet backs Trump as he seeks death penalty for 'animal' Decarlos Brown Jr who killed Ukrainian refugee

Trump reacted strongly to the brutal killing of Iryna Zarutska, saying the trial should be swift and result in the death penalty
PUBLISHED SEP 11, 2025
Donald Trump urged swift justice and the death penalty for Decarlos Brown Jr following Iryna Zarutska’s killing (Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, @kangminjlee/X)
Donald Trump urged swift justice and the death penalty for Decarlos Brown Jr following Iryna Zarutska’s killing (Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, @kangminjlee/X)

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has demanded the death penalty for Decarlos Brown Jr, who is accused of fatally stabbing Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a train in North Carolina.

Trump reacted strongly to the brutal killing, saying the trial should be swift and result in the death penalty. Zarutska had fled Ukraine with her family in 2022 seeking safety, only to lose her life in a random attack.



 

Trump demands quick trial and death penalty for Decarlos Brown Jr

In a Truth Social post, Trump called Brown “the ANIMAL who so violently killed the beautiful young lady from Ukraine, who came to America searching for peace and safety.”

He said the suspect should be given a “‘Quick’ (there is no doubt!) Trial, and only awarded THE DEATH PENALTY. There can be no other option!”

Trump also placed blame on Democrats on Monday, saying the victim’s “blood is on the hands of the Democrats who refuse to put bad people in jail.”


ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 03: Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump holds a round table discussion with Black business owners before his rally at the Georgia State University Convocation Center on August 03, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia. Polls currently show a close race between Trump and Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump holds a round table discussion with Black business owners before his rally at the Georgia State University Convocation Center on August 3, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

He added, “North Carolina, and every State, needs LAW AND ORDER, and only Republicans will deliver it! Additionally, where is the outrage from the Mainstream Media on this horrible tragedy?”



 

He urged voters to elect Republican candidate Michael Whatley to the US Senate, while calling Brown “a mad man” and “a lunatic.”

“She’s just viciously stabbed, she’s just sitting there. So, they’re evil people. We have to be able to handle that, if we don’t handle that we don’t have a country,” said Trump.



 

Iryna Zarutska’s tragic death shocks passengers and sparks outrage

Zarutska had escaped war-torn Ukraine after living in a bomb shelter, moving to the United States for a safer future.

On August 22, she boarded a train and sat in front of Brown, who reportedly pulled out a pocket knife and attacked her without provocation.

Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who fled the war in her homeland, was fatally stabbed on August 22 (GoFundMe)
Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who fled the war in her homeland, was fatally stabbed on August 22 (GoFundMe)

Passengers screamed in horror as Zarutska died in front of them. A disturbing video of the incident has since circulated widely on social media.

A viral claim also alleged that Brown said, “I got this white girl,” before carrying out the fatal stabbing.

The 34-year-old suspect has been charged with first-degree murder in North Carolina and faces additional federal charges for committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system.

The US Attorney’s Office in the Western District of North Carolina confirmed that if convicted, Brown could face the death penalty.

Internet demands harsh punishment for Decarlos Brown Jr over Iryna Zarutska killing

Social media users backed Trump’s call for the death penalty and pushed for even harsher punishment.

“There really isn’t another option! The fact that he said I got that white girl should classify it as a hate crime as well!!” wrote one user on X.

“100%. Been saying that,” another commented.



 



 

“This is what is needed so this will never happen again,” added one more.



 

“By a thousand cuts,” a user said. “A demon carved up an innocent woman. And we’re supposed to give him a dignified death? No, drag him through hell first,” wrote another.



 



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Charles Wall served for the past year as ICE's principal legal advisor, overseeing 3,500 staff in immigration court and advising DHS leadership
3 hours ago
Donald Trump launched 'The Great Healthcare Plan' in Washington, promising lower costs, transparency, and less corporate influence
22 hours ago
Donald Trump's Truth Social post on Thursday, January 15, signaled possible military deployment if unrest over ICE protests continued
1 day ago
Whip Tom Emmer said members must be in Washington to 'pass legislation to lower costs, secure the border, and support the president’s agenda'
1 day ago
The Michigan representative’s anger stems from the death of Renee Nicole Good, an ICE agent, during a protest on January 7 in Minneapolis
1 day ago
Senate Republicans blocked a war powers measure limiting Donald Trump’s Venezuela authority after WH pressure, with JD Vance breaking the tie
1 day ago
'We have been told that the killing in Iran is stopping, it has stopped, it’s stopping', President Donald Trump said during a bill signing event
1 day ago
President Donald Trump warned that sanctuary cities like New York would lose federal dollars unless they changed immigration policies
1 day ago
Secret Service agent Thomas Escoto was suspended after journalist James O'Keefe's video revealed sensitive details about JD Vance's location and plans
2 days ago
In an all-caps post, Donald Trump claimed that sanctuary policies 'breed crime and violence', escalating his clash with local governments
2 days ago