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A Brooklyn man is facing at least 20 years behind bars for the senseless stabbing death of a community activist who was slashed to death in front of his girlfriend in a shocking caught-on-video attack.
Brian Dowling, 20, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder charges in the random Oct. 2, 2023, slaying of activist Ryan Carson as he ran for his life on Malcolm X Boulevard.
“Many of us still shudder when recalling the horrific video showing this defendant viciously attacking Ryan Carson and stabbing him to death for no reason at all,” Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez said in a statement.
“Such an unconscionable crime requires the separation of this defendant from our society for a very long time, which is ensured by the promised sentence he’s now facing. Ryan was passionate about making our city a better place and I hope that today’s outcome will bring his loved ones a small sense of closure.”
Carson, 31, was with girlfriend Claudia Morales at a bus stop shortly before 4 a.m. when a belligerent Dowling walked by and turned on the couple, according to prosecutors.
“What the f–k are you looking at?” he yelled at the pair. “I’ll kill you.”
The shocking footage shows Dowling brandishing a knife and stabbing Carson three times.
The victim tried to flee while Morales looked on, horrified — but tripped over a bench at the bus stop.
Dowling is seen stabbing him multiple times, striking his heart while Carson lay on the ground.
The killer fled the scene but surrendered to police days later and was charged with murder.
In court Wednesday, Dowling accepted a deal from Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to plead guilty in exchange for a prison term of 20 years to life when he is sentenced on Feb. 19.
Morales, who has since posted about the traumatic attack on social media, could not be reached for comment on Wednesday — but did address the plea deal online.
Responding to an earlier hateful comment about her own activism, she fired back on X.
“Idiot behavior to think and type out and send this at all but I got to read this literally on my way to the hearing where the person in question pled guilty, putting an end to sixteen months of me constantly having to go to court and relive the worst day of my life over and over,” she wrote.
English (US)