A social justice activist and his girlfriend were brutally attacked in New York City early Monday morning, resulting in the activist's death.
The incident occurred as the couple was returning home from a wedding in Long Island. Surveillance footage captured the horrifying attack and provided police with a clear image of the suspect, who is currently at large.
The footage shows Ryan Carson, 32, and his girlfriend, identified as BLM activist Claudia Morales, seated at a bus stop bench near Malcolm X Blvd. in Brooklyn. The suspect can be seen walking past the couple without any apparent interaction. Shortly after, Carson and his girlfriend stand up and begin walking in the same direction.
The situation takes a turn for the worse when the suspect, who had been kicking over parked scooters for no reason, confronts Carson with aggressive language. Despite Carson's attempts to defuse the situation, the suspect punches him in the face. Carson, who was 6' 4", tries to create distance but is chased down by the assailant, who stabs him multiple times in the chest.
In the uncensored footage, the attacker can be seen spitting in Carson's girlfriend's face and kicking Carson before fleeing the scene. Another woman appears in the footage, apologizing and calling out a name that sounds like "Brian." Investigators believe that this woman may have known the attacker.
Morales, who had been critical of the police in the past, immediately called 911 and stayed with Carson until first responders arrived. Unfortunately, Carson's injuries were fatal, as his heart had been pierced. He was taken to Kings County Hospital Center, but there was little that could be done.
Carson, originally from Massachusetts, moved to New York City in 2010 to attend the Pratt Institute. He later became a senior solid waste campaign manager at the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG). Colleagues and friends described him as a talented and passionate advocate for students and the environment.
Blair Horner, Carson's former boss at NYPIRG, expressed his disbelief and sorrow over the tragic incident. City council members, including New York Sen. Chuck Schumer and Mayor Eric Adams, offered their condolences, highlighting Carson's activism and positive impact on the community.
The incident adds to the alarming crime statistics in New York City. According to the New York Police Department, there have been 304 murders in the city so far this year. The onset of the BLM riots and the pandemic in 2020 contributed to a significant increase in murders. The Mayor's Management Report, released last month, revealed a 6% increase in overall felony crime compared to the previous year.
Robbery, felonious assault, burglary, grand larceny, and grand larceny auto have all seen increases as well. The overall crime spike represents a 35.6% jump over pre-pandemic times. Despite these concerning statistics, no arrests have been made in the case of Carson's murder as of late Tuesday.
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