A leftist social justice activist was stabbed to death in front of his girlfriend at a New York City bus stop in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, on Monday.
Ryan Carson, 32, and his girlfriend were waiting at a bus stop at Lafayette Avenue and Malcom X Boulevard after leaving a wedding party at around 4 a.m. when the fatal incident occurred.
The suspect, who was acting erratically and knocking over scooters, approached Carson and began asking, "What are you looking at?" before stabbing him in the chest multiple times.
A video of the stabbing was obtained by the New York Post.
Warning, graphic content: GRAPHIC WARNING: NY Post obtains and releases video showing fatal stabbing of Leftist activist Ryan Carson in front of girlfriend on NYC street late-night after wedding
1. Always carry a gun
2. Always keep distance between yourself and a potential threat
Such a senseless… pic.twitter.com/tpNyaJk2Ke
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) October 3, 2023
The killer spit on Carson's girlfriend before kicking his body and walking away.
Carson was transported to Kings County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to a report from CBS News.
New York Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, who knew Carson prior to becoming a politician, said she was "in absolute disbelief" when she heard the news. They had met and become friends after both losing people they cared about to drug overdoses.
"I am devastated to share that my dear friend Ryan Carson, who worked for NYPIRG and created the advocacy organization 'No OD NY', was murdered last night," Gallagher posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "I met Ryan many years ago through the DIY punk scene and he has been a trusted friend in Albany and at home. I miss him." I am devastated to share that my dear friend Ryan Carson, who worked for NYPIRG and created the advocacy organization “No OD NY”, was murdered last night. I met Ryan many years ago through the DIY punk scene and he has been a trusted friend in Albany and at home. I miss him. pic.twitter.com/jPmwWhBL4F
— Emily Gallagher (@EmilyAssembly) October 2, 2023
Carson had walked from Albany to New York to “to raise awareness to pass legislation for the institution of the first overdose prevention facility in the state,” friend and former classmate Alex Harristhal, 29, told the New York Post.
Acadia Cutschall, 32, told the Post that he was her "best friend" and once talked another man out of mugging him by giving him money.
“I was present once when he literally talked a guy out of mugging him,” Cutschall said. “He gave him some money.”
“It’s a horrific, brutal murder of someone who worked piously to help make this city a better place,” Tom Krantz, 31, Carson’s roommate, told the Post.
The victim has been a campaign manager for New York Public Interest Research Group for the last ten years, with a focus on recycling.
The investigation remains ongoing. The suspect has not been named or taken into custody at time of publishing.
Editor's Note: This article was updated to include video of the incident.
