Police in Charlotte, North Carolina released new bodycam footage showing Decarlos Brown Jr., a man with a history of schizophrenia, shouting at officers about a “man-made foreign substance” that he claimed was controlling him. The footage comes from a welfare check on Brown Jr. from January, where he repeatedly called police to address his belief in the “foreign substance” affecting his body.
In the bodycam video released on Tuesday, Nov. 25, Brown Jr. explained to officers his belief that he had been exposed to something that stripped him of control over his body. During the interaction, Brown became frustrated with officers’ responses to his complaint. A sergeant instructed officers to arrest Brown for misuse of 911 if he called again for the same problem.
Brown called again and was arrested. “Put your hands behind your back. You’re being arrested for misuse of 911,” an officer said.
“What I’m misused it for?” Brown asked.
“Because I told you if you didn’t have a police emergency and if you would call back over some nonsense, then I would have to arrest you for misuse of 911,” the officer said.
Brown’s family stated he was dealing with homelessness and mental health issues. The footage raises questions about why he was released again despite his evident struggles. It is clear he suffered from extreme mental illness or demonic possession, according to some.
Iryna Zarutska’s tragic death highlights failures in addressing her needs on multiple levels. Her life should still be alive.