QUEENS, NEW YORK – Community Grieves After Jamaican-Born Woman Dies in Queens Shooting

QUEENS, NEW YORK – Community Grieves After Jamaican-Born Woman Dies in Queens Shooting

QUEENS, NEW YORK –  Tragedy struck a quiet Queens neighborhood on Sunday evening as 45-year-old Chenille Ramsey, a Jamaican national and longtime resident of New York, died following a gunshot wound to the head in what police are describing as a targeted shooting.

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire in a residential section of Queens shortly before 9 p.m. Upon arrival, officers discovered Ramsey lying critically injured from an apparent gunshot wound. EMS rushed her to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival despite extensive life-saving efforts.

A Life Cut Short

According to neighbors and friends, Chenille Ramsey was known as a warm, nurturing woman, deeply involved in her community and church, with a strong connection to her Jamaican roots. She had lived in Queens for over a decade and worked as a healthcare aide. Friends say she was the kind of person who always greeted others with a smile and never hesitated to lend a helping hand.

“She was like a sister to everyone,” said one neighbor. “She looked out for the kids on the block, brought food to the elderly, and she still called Jamaica ‘home.’ It’s just heartbreaking.”

Details of the Incident

Police sources confirm that the shooting occurred in a residential neighborhood, though the exact motive and circumstances remain under investigation. Witnesses reported hearing at least one shot and seeing a figure flee the scene on foot.

No arrests have been made as of Monday morning, and the NYPD is continuing to canvass the area for surveillance footage, witnesses, and any leads that might point to the shooter.

Authorities have not released whether Ramsey was the intended target or if the shooting was a case of mistaken identity or related to a broader dispute.

An Urgent Call for Justice

The Jamaican-American community in Queens and broader advocacy groups are calling for swift action in the investigation and justice for Ramsey. Many are also expressing frustration over the persistence of gun violence in their neighborhoods.

“We are losing too many of our women to senseless violence,” said a spokesperson from a local Caribbean advocacy organization. “Chenille’s death is one more painful reminder that no one is immune to this crisis. She mattered. Her life mattered. And her family deserves answers.”

Family Devastated

Chenille’s family, many of whom are still living in Jamaica, are said to be devastated by the news. Close relatives in New York have asked for privacy as they process the loss and begin preparations for a funeral service.

A cousin, speaking briefly outside the family home, said, “She didn’t deserve this. She came to New York to build a life. She worked hard, stayed out of trouble, and helped everyone. We’re broken.”

NYPD Seeks Public’s Help

The NYPD is urging anyone with information to come forward. A reward may be offered through Crime Stoppers for tips that lead to an arrest. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

If you have any information regarding the death of Chenille Ramsey, please contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).Honoring Chenille

Community leaders are planning a vigil in her memory later this week at the location of the shooting. Flowers, candles, and messages of love and remembrance already line the sidewalk where Ramsey’s life was stolen.

As her loved ones begin the difficult journey of grieving and seeking justice, the name Chenille Ramsey joins a heartbreaking list of New Yorkers lost to gun violence—each one a life with dreams, family, and a future that should have been.

If you’d like assistance creating a memorial message, tribute page, or coordinating local resources for community response, I can help with that as well.