A Brooklyn man has been sentenced to two decades behind bars, potentially more, for the murder of social justice activist Ryan Carson. According to the Brooklyn District Attorney's office, 20-year-old Brian Dowling, who hails from Bedford-Stuyvesant, will face 20 years to life in prison following his guilty plea to second-degree murder.
As reported by the District Attorney, in the early hours of October 2, 2023, a surveillance video captured Dowling acting erratically and kicking parked scooters on Malcolm X Boulevard. His confrontation with Carson was unprovoked; Dowling yelled threats at the activist, subsequently attacking him with a knife. "I’m going to kill you," he told Carson before fatally stabbing him as Carson's attempt to escape tragically came to an end over a bus stop bench.
Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun handed down the sentence after Dowling pled guilty last month. District Attorney Eric Gonzalez expressed his views on the matter, emphasizing that justice can only do so much in the absence of Ryan Carson. "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," said Gonzalez in a statement obtained by the Brooklyn DA's office.
The evidence against Dowling was substantial, including a search warrant of his residence revealing clothing matching that of the assailant in the video and multiple knives akin to the murder weapon. The DA’s office added that Dowling turned himself in later that week and the knife used in the murder was found concealed under foliage near the crime scene.
Handling the case was Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Perry of the Homicide Bureau, under the guidance of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.
