Ryan Carson Brian Dowling.jpg

Lawyer claims NYC teen charged in poet slaying is ‘great kid’ who wasn’t ‘looking for trouble’

New York Man Fatally Stabbed

A tragic incident unfolded on October 2, 2023, in New York when a man lost his life in a stabbing. The victim, identified as Ryan Carson, was attacked on Lafayette Avenue and Malcolm X Boulevard.

Teenage Suspect Claims Innocence

Brian Dowling, an 18-year-old, faced arraignment in connection with the murder of Ryan Carson, who was tragically killed after attending a wedding with his girlfriend, Claudia Morales. The incident was captured on surveillance cameras.

The video footage depicts Dowling verbally confronting Carson before the attack, shouting, “What the f— are you looking at?” and “I’ll kill you.” Carson was stabbed multiple times as he attempted to escape.

Dowling’s attorney, Kenneth Montgomery, stated that his client wasn’t seeking trouble but was in the midst of a distressing episode, acknowledging that his client may have some mental health issues.

Emotional Arrest and Court Appearance

Upon his arrest, Dowling was visibly emotional, shedding tears as he was escorted from the 81st Precinct to a police cruiser. During his court appearance, Dowling’s parents looked on with concern.

Assistant District Attorney Jordan Rossman reported that the attack on Carson had occurred without provocation. Montgomery argued for bail, but it was denied.

Evidence and Eyewitnesses

Investigators executed a search warrant at Dowling’s residence, recovering clothing that matched what the suspect wore during the attack. Additionally, two witnesses positively identified Dowling as the assailant, while the victim’s girlfriend was unable to make the same identification.

The Tragic Sequence of Events

The heart-wrenching video that has circulated widely shows Carson and Morales sitting at a bus stop bench. As they get up to leave, the assailant kicks over scooters and threatens Carson before the fatal attack.

Carson’s calm demeanor and efforts to defuse the situation were evident before he was brutally stabbed three times. Following the attack, the assailant also spat in Morales’s face and fled the scene.

Support for the Victim’s Loved Ones

In the wake of this tragedy, a GoFundMe page has been set up, raising more than $71,000 to support Claudia Morales and Ryan Carson’s friends as they take time off work to mourn their loss.

Remembering Ryan Carson

Ryan Carson was a dedicated professional who worked as a senior solid waste campaign manager at the New York Public Interest Research Group. He also initiated the NO OD NY campaign, addressing the overdose crisis.

Mayor Eric Adams and Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer paid tribute to Ryan Carson, acknowledging his contributions to the community.

Upcoming Court Date

Brian Dowling is scheduled to appear in court on October 11 to face the charges against him.