BREAKING | Brooklyn police cuff suspect in Ryan Carson murder, sources say

Brooklyn police have apprehended the prime suspect in the murder of social justice advocate Ryan Carson, sources said Thursday.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, the 18-year-old male was taken into custody on Thursday morning by the NYPD Warrant Squad after detectives on the case identified the alleged killer. The suspect is currently being questioned at the 81st Precinct, with charges pending.

Carson was stabbed to death on Lafayette Avenue and Malcolm X Boulevard in Bedford-Stuyvesant during the early hours of Oct. 2. The suspect allegedly accused Carson of staring at him during an enraged fit that saw the alleged killer kick nearby parked vehicles.

According to Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, Carson made a last-ditch heroic effort to protect his girlfriend Claudia Morales before being stabbed to death.

“Mr. Carson immediately places himself between the male and his female companion to protect her,” Chief Kenny said at an NYPD press conference Wednesday. “Mr. Carson immediately tries to de-escalate the situation. This male then produces a knife and swings at Mr. Carson.”

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One of three widely knife plunges penetrated Carson’s heart, causing his death. Even as Carson laid dying, authorities said, the perpetrator spit at Morales and threatened to stab her as well. He ultimately fled the scene.

Authorities believe the alleged killer’s rampage may have been brought on by an argument he had with his girlfriend minutes prior to the murder. His girlfriend, seen on video approaching Carson and Morales and once thought to be a good Samaritan, has since been linked to the killer.

“An unidentified female then arrives on the scene and begins to apologize to the couple, and she mutters the name Brian,” Chief Kenny said.

This is a developing story; check with amNY.com later for further updates.