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Ryan Carson's 'friends' launch GoFundMe so 'they' can take time off work and 'grieve', raise $70K

The GoFundMe page raised nearly $70K but left the internet shocked as the 'friends' attempted to raise money for themselves in order to take time off from work to 'grieve'

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: Brooklyn poet and activist Ryan Carson's friends launched a GoFundMe page after the former was fatally stabbed by Brian Dowling, 18, in an unprovoked attack on Monday, October 2. 

The group, who dubbed themselves a "collective of Ryan's close friends" and "working class people," said that they launched the fundraiser to "take time off of work to properly mourn" the loss of the activist. 

The GoFundMe page raised nearly $70K at the time of writing but left several social media users shocked as the "friends" attempted to raise money for themselves in order to take time off from work to "grieve." 

A look into Ryan Carson's GoFundMe page

As per the GoFundMe Page, Tammie Marie David organized the fundraiser on behalf of Carson's girlfriend Claudia Morales who was also present at the scene of the murder. 

"Hi everyone. We are a collective of Ryan's close friends, reeling from a brutal loss," the fundraiser began.

"We are asking for your help on behalf of his partner in easing the burden and stress of this horrifying situation so that we can have space and time to grieve, and remember Ryan," it said.

"Immediate needs are to offset the costs of working class people taking time off of work to properly mourn," the page mentioned.

"If you Google 'Ryan Carson', you'll hear (and now see) about the tragedy that struck on early Monday morning," the fundraiser said.

"But if you look past the breaking news, you'll see news on his legislative victories, you'll probably find his social media accounts filled with thoughts and memories, and you'll find collections of his artistic works to date," it added in honor of Carson.

"We hope you may find his thoughts on mutual aid, his works of advocacy, and understand that his radical principles of community care, justice, and dismantling an individualized profit-centered way of life are worth carrying forward in our own communities," the GoFundMe continued.

"It is this time of remembrance and healing that will allow for reflection; we thank you in advance for any material support you can provide. In pain and gratitude, Ryan's Friends," the fundraiser concluded. 

The GoFundMe page received $69,864 of its $20,000 goal, as of Friday, October 6, afternoon. 

Internet reacts to GoFundMe page by Ryan Carson's pals

Several social media users were left baffled at the GoFundMe page launched by Carson's friends. 

"LMAO the gofundme for the leftist’ activist’s death is for his friends to take time off from work, no mention of funeral costs at all. Just profiting off his death. Simply ghoulish," one said.

"This is incredible. I heard about the Ryan Carson GoFundMe and assumed it was for funeral costs. Nope. His friends are raising money for themselves," one user mocked.

"Imagine your friend’s putting out a tip cup for themselves at your funeral. That is the kind of people these guys are," one added. 

"Absolutely despicable. With friends like that, who needs enemies?" a fourth user said. 

One said, "I thought it would be for funeral costs as well, this is just plain profiteering off of someone's death."

Another remarked, "Wow, I mean... that's a new low."

One commented, "Just pure selfishness.  People closed to you don’t always have your best interests at heart in life or death."

While another asked, "Are we sure they even knew him?"

What happened to Ryan Carson? 

On Monday, October 2, Carson and his girlfriend were reportedly returning from a wedding and waiting at a bus stop in the Bed-Stuyvesant section in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn when they encountered Dowling. 

The couple were reportedly seated on a bench at a bus stop when the 18-year-old walked past them, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said in a press conference, ABC News reported. 

As the pair began to walk toward Dowling's direction, he allegedly began to destroy scooters, before asking Carson, "What are you looking at?" 

When Carson attempted to de-escalate the situation, Dowling attacked him with a knife. The activist attempted to run away but tripped and fell to the ground before Dowling stabbed him three times. 

Kenny said that the knife reportedly pierced through Carson's heart. He also alleged that Dowling kicked Carson in the chest after stabbing him to death.

The suspect then threatened to stab Morales and spat on her face before fleeing the scene. 

Surveillance footage captured the confrontation that led to Carson's death. Dowling could be heard saying, "I’m going to kill you right now," in the clip, while Carson could be heard replying, "Chill, chill, chill."

Officers reportedly found Carson with multiple stab wounds to the chest upon arriving at the scene and rushed him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Dowling was later arrested on charges of Carson's murder.