Ryan Carson.Photo:NO OD NY/Youtube
NO OD NY/Youtube
Police have arrested a suspect in the fatal stabbing of New York City activistRyan Carson, who was killed in front of his girlfriend early Monday in Brooklyn, N.Y., sources told multiple news outlets.
On Thursday, Brian Dowling, 18, was taken into custody at the 81stPrecinct in New York City,CBS Newsand theNew York Daily Newsreport.
He is charged with murder with depraved indifference and criminal possession of a weapon,ABC 7reports.
On Tuesday, the NYPD released a photo of the suspect wearing a black Champion hoodie; the NYPD asked for the public’s help identifying him.
On Monday, at about 4 a.m. Carson, 32, and his girlfriend were seen on surveillance video waiting at a bus stop on Malcolm X Boulevard in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn when a man approached them, police sources toldCBS News.
The assailant asked, “What are you looking at?” before stabbing Carson in the chest multiple times, CBS News reports, citing police sources.
Carson stepped between the assailant and his girlfriend, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday,ABC Newsreports.
Carson’s girlfriend was not injured in the attack.
Carson was a longtime campaign organizer for New York Public Research Group whose work recently focused on improving recycling and solid waste management. The organization issued a statement after his killing, saying, in part, “Ryan was a beloved staffer, colleague and friend, and a creative, talented, relentless and upbeat advocate for students and the environment. His engaging personality, hearty laugh and wide-ranging intelligence were keys to his success in advancing the causes he deeply cared about in his work and personal life.”
On Monday night, more than 100 people gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor Carson’s life,News 12reported. Those in attendance said he and his girlfriend had left a wedding and were heading home before the stabbing, per the outlet.
“You know it’s hard when the person you go to to talk about grief is the one who died,” State Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, a friend of Carson’s, told News 12. “It’s been really difficult to comprehend,” she added.
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“I’m horrified to learn of the brutal murder of advocate Ryan Carson in Brooklyn today,” New York City Council Member Chi Ossé wrote onX(formerly Twitter.) “This tireless defender of his neighbors was stolen from us. Committed to ending this senseless violence, my heart is with his family.”
The New York Communities for Change community organization described the social justice advocate onXas “a wonderful advocate and ally” who was “taken too soon.”
Blair Horner, Carson’s boss at NYPIRG, toldABC 7that his killing was “incredibly tragic.”
“A life full of promise is snuffed out," she added. “And the world is a worse place for it and we’ll miss him dearly.”
The NYPD did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. It is unclear whether Dowling has retained an attorney who can speak on his behalf.
source: people.com
