N.Y.C. Woman Fatally Shot in Broad Daylight Was 'Shielding' Daughter from Estranged Husband: DA By Sean Neumann

A New York City woman was shot and killed by her estranged husband last month while attempting to shield her adult daughter from the bullets, authorities alleged Friday while announcing charges against the man.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a news release Friday that Audwin Caines had been arrested and charged with second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder and two counts of illegally possessing a weapon. He was also charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief, according to the Queens DA’s Office.

The charges stem from a midafternoon shooting on June 23 when Caines, 62, is alleged to have approached his estranged wife Chaneil Ramsay and her 21-year-old daughter while they were walking down the street. 

Earlier in the afternoon, investigators allege that Caines texted a photo to Ramsay showing the passenger side window of her car shattered with a brick. About two hours later, Caines allegedly approached Ramsay, 45, and her adult daughter while they were walking down the street, causing the mother and daughter to run away from Caines as he began to fire his weapon at them, officials said.

The pair took cover behind a parked vehicle, but Ramsay stood up and rushed at Caines as he got closer, “in an effort to shield her daughter,” the DA’s office alleged in the release. Caines then opened fire at point blank range, striking Ramsay in the head and body.

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Officials also alleged that a year prior, on July 1, 2024, Caines struck Ramsay in the head with a bottle, and then broke the bottle and stabbed her in the chest with it after she asked him to leave their home following an argument.

Caines faces up to 25 years-to-life in prison if he’s convicted on the charges related to his estranged wife’s murder.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.