Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that Audwin Caines was arraigned on charges of murder, attempted murder and other crimes for the shooting death of his estranged wife on the street in St. Albans in June. The defendant was also charged with assault for stabbing the victim in the chest with a broken bottle in July 2024.

District Attorney Katz said: “As alleged, a 45-year-old woman was senselessly gunned down on the streets of St. Albans by her estranged husband, as part of an escalating series of violent incidents. This murder shocked the community, and my office will seek justice for the family of Chaneil Ramsay. Intimate partner violence exacts a devastating toll on victims and families. I urge anyone experiencing domestic violence to contact our 24-hour helpline at 718-286-4410. My office can help with safety planning services, securing an order of protection or shelter placement.”

Caines, 62, who is undomiciled, was arraigned last night on charges of murder in the second degree, attempted murder in the second degree, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and criminal mischief in the fourth degree. He was also arraigned on a separate complaint charging him with assault in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Queens Criminal Court Judge Sharifa Nasser-Cuellar remanded Caines and ordered him to return to court on July 18. If convicted, Caines faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

District Attorney Katz said that, according to the charges, on June 23, 2025, at approximately 12:21 p.m., Chaneil Ramsay’s Jeep Grand Cherokee, was parked in front of 123-40 Irwin Place in St. Albans. The front passenger window of the vehicle was shattered, and a brick was observed in the car.

A few minutes earlier, Ramsay received text messages on her phone, allegedly from Caines, with a photo of the shattered window and threats to do her harm.

Later that day, at approximately 2:30 p.m., Caines, while holding a firearm, allegedly approached Ramsay, 45, and her 21-year-old daughter as they walked on 176^th Street in St. Albans. As the pair ran away from him, Caines began shooting in their direction. Both victims took cover behind a vehicle parked in a driveway on 127^th Street and as Caines got closer, Ramsay stood up, stepped away from the car and ran toward the defendant in an effort to shield her daughter. Caines then allegedly shot Ramsey multiple times from point-blank range in her head and body.

Additionally, on July 1, 2024, Caines is alleged to have stabbed his estranged wife in the chest and elbow with a broken bottle. The defendant and Ramsay were arguing inside their Irwin Place home, when the victim asked Caines to leave the residence. The defendant allegedly struck her in the head with a bottle of alcohol and knocked her to the ground. Caines then stabbed the woman with the bottle.

Caines was arrested on July 15 near the intersection of West 142^nd Street and Chisum Place 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, Deputy Bureau Chief, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.