Husband accused of killing Queens mom shielding daughter from gunfire

QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) --- A homeless man is accused of shooting his estranged wife to death on a Queens street last month, a year after allegedly stabbing her with a broken bottle, authorities said Thursday.

Audwin Caines, 62, is accused of shooting Chaneil Ramsay in the head and body at point-blank range on 176th Street in St. Albans at around 2:30 p.m. on June 23, according to prosecutors.

Ramsay, 45, and her 21-year-old daughter were running away from Caines when he allegedly fired several rounds, authorities said. The women took cover behind a parked car, but as Caines got closer, Ramsay jumped out to protect her daughter from the gunfire when she was struck multiple times, according to court records.

She was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved.

Hours before the shooting, Caines had allegedly thrown a brick through his estranged wife's car window.

The defendant is also accused of stabbing Ramsay in the chest and elbow with a broken bottle in July 2024, prosecutors said. Caines and Ramsay were arguing in their Irwin Place home when he allegedly attacked her with a bottle of alcohol. The victim then kicked him out of the house.

Caines was charged with murder, attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal mischief in connection with the fatal shooting. In a separate case, he was charged with assault in the 2024 incident.

Caines was arraigned in both cases Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to court records. He is being held without bail.

His attorney could not immediately be reached.