BROCKTON, MASS. (WHDH) - An East Bridgewater native who graduated from Cardinal Spellman High School in Brockton is being mourned after he was killed in a stabbing in New York City earlier this week.
Ryan Carson, 32, was stabbed in Brooklyn early Monday morning.
School officials in Brockton have since said Carson grew up in East Bridgewater and graduated from Cardinal Spellman in 2010.
“May God be with his family and friends as they deal with this unimaginable tragedy,” the school said in a post on Facebook Thursday evening.
New York Police said Carson was with his girlfriend heading home from a wedding when 18-year-old Brian Dowling allegedly stabbed him.
Surveillance video captured the attack, showing the man police say is Dowling first walk past Carson and his girlfriend while they were sitting on a bench.
Moments later, the couple got up and walked down the street. Police said Dowling then turned around and confronted Carson and his girlfriend.
Carson is seen in video running away before falling onto the bench where he had been sitting. Police said Dowling subsequently pulled out a knife and stabbed Carson in the chest multiple times. Dowling could also be seen kicking Carson on the ground.
Carson was pronounced dead at a local hospital. His girlfriend was not hurt.
New York police said they later arrested Dowling at a home just down the block from the site of the stabbing.
Carson was a well known community activist in New York.
Back at Cardinal Spellman, he is remembered as a student who made his mark.
Speaking with 7NEWS, Cardinal Spellman President Daniel Hodes said Carson was voted “best personality” by his high school peers.
“He was just very involved,” Hodes said. “He was a vivacious personality.”
While at Cardinal Spellman, Carson was involved in theater and choir.
“He was very tall — one kid spiking above the rest of them, singing full voice, and that was Ryan,” Hodes said. “So, I think he probably, for many of his peers, was that type of a kid that stuck out.”
The night he died, Carson was reportedly trying to de-escalate the situation.
“That sounds exactly like his personality,” said Deacon and Cardinal Spellman Chaplin Joe Nickley. “He was there for others. It does not surprise me that he tried to talk the man down and didn’t try to hurt him.”
“You want them to go on to live good and lasting, healthy lives, making a difference, enjoying family and friends,” Nickley said. “And so, it’s very sad.”
Among reactions in New York, Sen. Chuck Schumer paid tribute to Carson in a post on X, calling him “a rising talent and an extraordinary activist.”
The New York Public Interest Research Group, where Carson worked, also posted a statement after Carson’s death.
“Ryan was a beloved staffer, colleague and friend, and a creative, talented, relentless and upbeat advocate for students and the environment,” the organization said. “His engaging personality, hearty laugh and wide-ranging intelligence were keys to his success in advancing the causes he deeply cared about in his work and personal life.”
The public interest research group said Carson “was a consummate team player who would happily undertake the basic ‘blocking and tackling’ tasks necessary to advance and win on an issue, but also shined in the spotlight as a leader, campaign manager and spokesperson.”
“NYPIRG offers its deepest condolences to Ryan’s family, friends and colleagues,” the public interest research group said.
Carson’s family was asking for privacy as they grieved on Friday — the day that would have been Carson’s 33rd birthday.
“Ryan has taught me more lessons in love, action and change,” his aunt Alicia said in a post on Facebook. “He led by example and with his heart.”
“Ryan made sure you knew he loved you always — rest in peace sweet boy,” Alicia said.
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