A Bed-Stuy man who pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing social justice advocate Ryan Carson in an unprovoked 2023 attack was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years to life in prison.
Brian Dowling, who was 18 at the time of the killing, accepted a plea deal during a Jan. 22 hearing before Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun. The sentencing marked the conclusion of a case that sent shockwaves through the community and cut short the life of Carson, a 32-year-old activist known for his work with the New York Public Interest Research Group.
“With today’s sentence, justice has been served – but that will not bring back Ryan Carson or all the benefits he would have brought to our communities if his life wasn’t cut short by this defendant,” District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said on Wednesday following the sentencing hearing. “The tragic murder of this promising and passionate activist was beyond abhorrent and senseless, necessitating the lengthy prison term imposed in this case. We will continue to vigorously prosecute all acts of violence in Brooklyn and obtain accountability on behalf of victims and their loved ones.”
The fatal incident occurred on Oct. 2, 2023, at approximately 3:50 a.m. Carson and his girlfriend were waiting at a bus stop on Malcolm X Boulevard and Lafayette Avenue when they encountered Dowling, who was visibly agitated and kicking parked scooters. Dowling turned toward the couple, shouting threats, including, “I’m going to kill you.”
Surveillance footage presented as evidence showed Carson attempting to de-escalate the situation before Dowling swung a knife at him. Carson tried to flee but tripped over a bench. Dowling then ran up to Carson and stabbed him multiple times as he lay on the ground, striking his heart.
After the attack, Dowling discarded the knife but returned to retrieve it. Investigators later recovered a knife believed to be the murder weapon hidden in greenery near the scene. On Oct. 5, Dowling turned himself in at the 81st Precinct after being identified as a suspect.
A search of his apartment uncovered multiple knives with handles resembling the weapon used in the attack, as well as clothing matching that seen in the surveillance footage.
