Ryan Carson's Suspected Killer Could Face 25 Years To Life: BK DA

BED-STUY, NY — An 18-year-old could face 25 years to life in prison after prosecutors say he fatally stabbed beloved advocate Ryan Carson in Bed-Stuy.

Brian Dowling, 18, of Bed-Stuy, stands accused of killing Carson in an unprovoked attack near a bus stop on Malcolm X Boulevard and Lafayette Avenue on Oct. 2, prosecutors say.

Dowling faces weapons and murder charges that could land him 25 years to life in prison, District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said. He turned himself in the week of the slaying, and investigators found knives similar to the murder weapon in Dowling's home, according to Gonzalez.

Dowling was held without bail until his next court appearance on Dec. 8.

The city has since mourned the slaying caught on surveillance camera video, remembering Carson as a passionate sustainability advocate, a force to end overdose deaths in New York and a supporter of mutual aid.

"Many of us watched the horrific video that showed his life being snuffed away senselessly, for no reason at all. We will now seek to hold his alleged killer fully accountable for this unspeakably brutal murder,” Gonzalez said.

His loved ones remind New York to push past the horrific headlines and keep Carson's memory alive.

"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," loved ones said on a GoFundMe that had raised over $70,000 by Friday.

The Attack

Carson was with his girlfriend at the Brooklyn bus stop about 3:50 a.m. when Dowling walked "angrily" past the couple, prosecutors contend.

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 was about 40 feet ahead of Carson and his girlfriend, kicking mopeds and scooters before he turned back to the couple and yelled "I'm going to kill you," prosecutors say.

Dowling swung a knife and struck Carson before Carson fell over a bus stop bench — at which point Dowling stabbed him multiple times, prosecutors contend.

Dowling ditched his knife but ultimately came back for it — and investigators later found the knife under greenery nearby, according to the District Attorney.