BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: Social media users recently slammed CBS for blurring the face of Brian Dowling, 18, during the coverage of his arrest for the alleged killing of poet and activist Ryan Carson, 31, in an unprovoked attack.
Several internet users questioned the network for not providing the same treatment to Daniel Penny, the US marine who was charged in the death of homeless man Jordan Neely after putting him in a fatal chokehold while riding the Manhattan subway.
"CBS blurred out Brian Dowling’s face because they don’t want to push the idea that a certain group of people are dangerous," @/jonesville wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
"CBS didn’t blur out Daniel Penny’s face because they prefer to push the idea that white people are dangerous. That much is clear," the user alleged.
Internet reacts to CBS blurring out Brian Dowling's face
Other social media users also expressed their disappointment over CBS blurring Dowling's face during his arrest for the murder of Carson.
"Ridiculous," one user exclaimed. "@CBSNews, why the difference?" one asked in reference to the difference between Dowling and Penny's coverage.
"The only time a suspect’s face should be blurred is if he’s underage," added another. "Shame on @CBSNews," a user wrote.
One said, "He's not a minor. Show his face." While another mentioned, "@CBSNewYork you got some ‘splaining to do."
One user wrote, "I want to know what @CBSNews usescas guidelines on who to blur and who not to. I understand minors, but why one adult and not another...unless you got an agenda to push."
Another alleged, "I think they did this to further push hate and divide, by blurring the face, the public can't associate a specific person to the crime and instead generalize based on skin color. This was a calculated tactic to sow further hate and division."
Why did Brian Dowling kill Ryan Carson?
Dowling reportedly stabbed Carson to death in an unprovoked attack in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn on Monday, October 2, 2023.
Carson and his girlfriend Claudia Morales were reportedly returning from a wedding and waiting at a bus stop in the Bed-Stuyvesant section of the city when they encountered Dowling, who was described as "emotionally disturbed" by the Daily Mail.
Dowling reportedly walked past the couple while they were seated on a bench at a bus stop, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said in a press conference, as per ABC News.
When the pair started walking towards the suspect, the latter began to destroy scooters and allegedly asked Carson, "What are you looking at?"
As Carson attempted to de-escalate the situation, Dowling attacked him with a knife. Shortly after, the victim tripped and fell to the ground while Dowling stabbed him three times and pierced the knife through his heart, the officer said.
Kenny also shared that Dowling was seen "acting agitated" while talking to a woman, whom the police believe to have been his girlfriend before the attack on Carson.
After the stabbing, the mystery woman apologized to Carson and his girlfriend and said that the suspect's name was "Brian."
Kenny alleged that Dowling also kicked Carson in the chest after stabbing him to death. The 18-year-old also allegedly threatened to stab Morales and spat in her face before fleeing the scene.
Surveillance footage captured the sidewalk confrontation that led to Carson's death. Dowling could be heard saying, "I’m going to kill you right now," in the video, while Carson could be heard replying, "Chill, chill, chill."
Officers found Carson with multiple stab wounds to the chest and rushed him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
How did cops arrest Brian Dowling?
A day after Carson's brutal stabbing, the NYPD released Dowling's photo as a suspect in the case, Kenny mentioned, as per ABC News. He also said that officers were working on a probable cause to make an arrest.
Detectives eventually searched Dowling's home, which was located less than a block from the scene of the attack, when the suspect showed up.
Cops then recovered the sweatshirt that Dowling appears to have been wearing in the surveillance images from the scene of the stabbing alongside a knife, which will reportedly be tested to see if it matches the murder weapon that killed Carson, sources told the outlet.
Dowling was then taken into custody around 11 am on Thursday, October 5, and charged with murder. He was also charged with criminal possession of a weapon, cops added.
The 18-year-old was initially held at the NYPD's 81st Precinct and was arraigned late Thursday, October 5.
Officers said that Dowling was reportedly enrolled in a learn-to-work program at a school in the Clinton Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn.
They also mentioned that he allegedly had prior summonses for disorderly conduct in 2022.
"This arrest is an important step in justice for his family and friends, and we cannot let this kind of violence take place on our streets," NYC Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement after Dowling's arrest.
"Let us continue to pray for Ryan's loved ones and the community," he added.
