Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that Audwin Caines has been indicted for shooting and killing his estranged wife and attempting to murder her daughter on a street in St. Albans in June. The defendant is charged with murder, attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon and other crimes, including attempted murder for using a broken bottle to allegedly stab his spouse in the chest, in July 2024.

District Attorney Katz said: “As alleged, Chaniel Ramsey was the victim of an escalating series of violent events. The 45-year-old woman died protecting her daughter from gun violence at the hands of her estranged husband. This defendant is now charged with murder and the attempted murder of his wife’s daughter for the June 23, 2025, shooting, and with the attempted murder of his wife from a year ago and other serious charges. If you are a victim of domestic violence, or know someone who is, do not suffer in silence. Reach out to our office for help at 718-286-4410. Someone is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Caines, 62, who is undomiciled, was arraigned on an eight-count indictment charging him with murder in the second degree, two counts of attempted murder in the second degree, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, criminal mischief in the fourth degree and assault in the second degree. Queens Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant, who presided at the arraignment, continued remand and set the defendant’s next court date for October 3. If convicted, Caines faces up to 75 years to life in prison.

DA Katz said, according to the charges and investigation, defendant Caines was estranged from his wife Chaniel Ramsey. On June 23, 2025, at approximately 12:21 p.m., Ramsay’s Jeep Grand Cherokee was parked in front of 123-40 Irwin Place in St. Albans. The front passenger window of the woman’s vehicle was shattered, and a brick was observed inside the automobile.

Moments earlier, according to the charges, Ramsay received a text message, allegedly from the defendant, containing a photo of the shattered window of her vehicle along with various threats of physical harm.

At approximately 2:30 p.m., the defendant allegedly armed with a gun, approached Ramsay, who was walking with her 21-year-old daughter on 176^th Street in St. Albans. The two women saw Caines coming toward them and they ran. Caines allegedly began shooting in their direction.

Ramsay and her daughter, according to the charges, attempted to hide behind a parked automobile on 127^th Street. As Caines drew closer to them Ramsay stood up, stepped away from the vehicle and ran to direct the man’s attention away from her daughter. Caines then allegedly shot his estranged wife multiple times at point-blank range. Ramsay was struck in her head and body and died from the injuries.

According to the charges, a year earlier on July 1, 2024, the defendant is alleged to have stabbed Ramsay in the chest and elbow with a broken glass bottle. The defendant and Ramsay were arguing inside the home they shared at the time on Irwin Place, when the victim asked Caines to leave the residence. The defendant allegedly hit her on the head with a bottle of alcohol and then knocked her to the floor before stabbing her with the broken remains of the bottle.

The defendant eluded arrest for the 2024 incident. Caines was arrested on July 15, 2025, in Manhattan.

The investigation was conducted by Detective Daniel Connors, of the 113^th Detective Squad and Detective James Zozzaro, of the Queens South Homicide Squad.

Assistant District Attorney Eric Weinstein of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Alexa Ornelas and under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys John Kosinski, Bureau Chief, and Karen Ross and Jonathan Selkowe, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.