Nonpartisan Watchdog Groups Asks DOJ To Investigate If Charlotte Is Violating Americans’ Civil Rights
Today, the Blue Ridge Times can exclusively report that the Center to Advance Security in America (CASA), a nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving the safety and security of the American people, sent a letter to Assistant District Attorney Harmeet Dhillon over concerns over the fact pattern around the murder of Iryna Zarutska. CASA believes the City of Charlotte’s response shows that progressive politicians may divert resources from hate crimes to progressive causes.
“In the wake of the brutal murder of Iryna Zarutska, CASA believes there is sufficient evidence to initiate an investigation into the failure of government officials in the City of Charlotte to protect their white citizens from racially motivated violence,” said CASA Director James Fitzpatrick. “We are hopeful given the new direction and leadership at the Civil Rights Division at the DOJ that this matter will be thoroughly reviewed."
Context: The murder of Iryan Zarutska gained national attention, highlighting the skyrocketing murder rate in Charlotte. Since Vi Lyles was first elected mayor of Charlotte in 2017, while Roy Cooper served as Governor, the murder rate essentially doubled. A report from the Queen City News shows that the annual number of murders went up from around 50 a year to over 100.
Key quotes from the letter to the Department of Justice asking for an investigation.
Factual background: On August 22, 2025, Iryna Zarutska was murdered on a trail in Charlotte. The alleged murderer, Decarlos Brown Jr., who has a long criminal history filled with violent and disturbing incidents, could be heard saying after the incident, “I got that white girl.” From jail in a conversation with his sister he allegedly said, “I hurt my hand stabbing her. I don’t even know the lady. I never said not one word to the lady at all. That’s scary, ain’t it? Why would somebody stab somebody for no reason?”
Factual background: Charlotte’s Mayor, Vi Lyles, initially tried limit the exposure of the horrifying video of the murder. She then made statements about this murder. She told a reporter that, “This is a tragic situation that sheds light on problems with our society safety nets related to mental healthcare and the systems that should be in place. She then wrote, “We will never arrest our way out [of] issues like homelessness and mental health.”
Analysis: But Lyles’ initial reaction to a clear example of a hate crime— to make the issue about mental health and homelessness as opposed to a hate crime— begs the question: is Charlotte sufficiently focused on race related crime? And, if the mayor believes that one cannot fix these problems with arrests, then does the city have policies or practices in place that have an end result of citizens being deprived of their rights?
Analysis: The Department of Justice (DOJ) has a history of investigating local governments who have a “pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers of by officials or employees of any governmental agency… that deprives persons of rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States. The Attorney General has the authority to bring a civil action if its found that a “State government or unit of local government has engaged in or is engaging in a patter or practice” of discrimination based upon race, color, or other characteristics.
Conclusion: Mayor Lyles’ initial comments demonstrate that the City of Charlotte has, at the very least, a “practice” of minimizing hate crimes. A clear example, where a black man kills a white woman, and says “I got that white girl,” was swept under the rug. Mayor Lyles appears to have resisted allowing the video to be public. And she encouraged it not to be shared… Admittedly, there are unanswered questions. But the Mayor’s questionable decisions to minimize a hate crime would suggest that there is intention to conceal hate crimes in the city.
At the very least, there is “reasonable cause to believe” that Charlotte is not sufficiently protecting citizens from racially motivated violence. By calling the issue one of mental health or homelessness, the practice appears to divert attention toward progressive causes rather than the actual root problem. Accordingly, the DOJ should investigate the City of Charlotte, the Mayor’s Office, and any other city offices and officials the DOJ deems necessary.
What’s Next? The Department of Justice will review the letter and determine if an investigation is warranted. While several federal and state investigations are underway, this effort would specifically investigate whether or not the civil rights of Charlotteans are being violated by the Charlotte’s soft-on-crime policies that focus on criminals over victims.
