'Look Past' Ryan Carson's Brooklyn Slaying Headlines, Loved Ones Plead

BED-STUY, NY — As the NYPD says it is narrowing in on Ryan Carson's suspected killer, Carson's loved ones urged New Yorkers to look past the headlines surrounding his fatal stabbing and remember his strong advocacy.

Support and sorrow poured through New York City after the young activist died, as many remember the 32-year-old as a sustainability advocate, supporter of mutual aid and powerful force in ending drug overdoses.

"If you Google 'Ryan Carson', you'll hear (and now see) about the tragedy that struck on early Monday morning. But if you look past the breaking news, you'll see news on his legislative victories, you'll probably find his social media accounts filled with thoughts and memories, and you'll find collections of his artistic works to date," Carson's friends wrote on a GoFundMe that had raised over $49,000 in under a day.

Carson was most recently working for New York Public Interest Research Group and created No OD NY, a campaign to fight overdose deaths in New York, state Assembly Member Emily Gallagher said.

"We hope you may find his thoughts on mutual aid, his works of advocacy, and understand that his radical principles of community care, justice, and dismantling an individualized profit-centered way of life are worth carrying forward in our own communities," Carson's friends wrote on a GoFundMe.

Meanwhile, authorities say they have identified a suspect in the fatal stabbing at a bus stop near Malcolm X Boulevard and Lafayette Avenue Monday about 3:55 a.m., Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Wednesday.

Kenny shared little information on the suspect other than his name could be Brian, and he did not know Carson. No arrests had been made as of 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Monday's Attack

Carson and his girlfriend were sitting at a bench at a bus stop on Malcolm X Boulevard and Lafayette Avenue early Monday morning when the suspected stabber walked by them, police said. Without interacting with the man, Carson and his girlfriend got up from the bench to walk home.

Video surveillance obtained by the New York Daily News shows the man about 40 feet ahead of Carson and his girlfriend, kicking mopeds and scooters before he turns around to face Carson, seemingly asking "the f--- you looking at."

Surveillance video shows the man pushing toward Carson, while Carson tries to defuse the situation, yelling back, "chill."

Carson ultimately trips and falls, at which point the man stabs Carson three times in the chest, piercing his heart, Kenny said. The suspected stabber kicks Carson in the chest while he's lying on the ground, Kenny said.

The attacker then turns to Carson's girlfriend, spits in her face, and flees — followed by the suspected stabber's girlfriend, who came through apologizing, Kenny said.

The suspect had been "acting very agitated" with his girlfriend nearby before the stabbing, Kenny said.

By 4:20 a.m., Carson had been declared dead at an area hospital, Kenny said.