Suspect in N.C. Train Stabbing Was Homeless, Had Asked to Stay with Mom Days Before Attack

NEED TO KNOW

Decarlos Brown Jr. , 34, is accused of fatally stabbing Iryna Zarutska, 23, on a light rail train on Aug. 22

The apparently random attack has sparked outrage after surveillance video was released Friday

Zarutska's family said they are committed to making sure this never happens again

The man accused of fatally stabbing a young Ukrainian refugee on a light rail train last month was homeless and had asked to stay with his mother days before the attack, she says.

The mother of Decarlos Brown Jr., Michelle Dewitt, tells PEOPLE, that days before the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, her son had shown up at her house and asked to stay with her.

Dewitt says he had a history of mental illness, was homeless and was living at a local shelter. After showing up at her