New York

2 Men Cuffed in South Carolina, Charged in Brooklyn Shooting That Left 2 Mothers Dead: NYPD

What to Know

  • Two mothers, 21-year-old Chynna Battle and 29-year-old Shaqwanda Sealy, were gunned down outside a Brooklyn housing complex back in July
  • Anthony Alexander, 18, and Nazir Saunders, 20, were picked up in South Carolina on a tip and are now facing murder charges, police say
  • Battle's aunt said the family believe the shooters were targeting somebody else when shots rang out in a courtyard of the Bed-Stuy complex

Two men who police say shot and killed two mothers at a Brooklyn housing complex over the summer have been arrested on murder charges after officials say a tip led them to South Carolina.

Police on Thursday announced that both Anthony Alexander, 18, and Nazir Saunders, 20, had been cuffed in the shooting at the Stuyvesant Garden Houses in Bedford-Stuyvesant on July 12 that left 21-year-old Chynna Battle and 29-year-old Shaqwanda Sealy dead. Authorities said they shot and killed the two mothers while firing into a crowd of people at the complex in July. 

It's not clear if the men have attorneys who could comment on their behalf nor was it clear if the men had any connection to Battle or Sealy. As Alexander was being led away in handcuffs he mumbled "I'm innocent." Saunders remained quiet. 

Police said the duo were picked up in South Carolina on a Crime Stoppers tip and were brought back to New York earlier in the week. Cops say they are members of a gang and have prior arrests for weapons possession, assault and grand larceny. 

Authorities said earlier this year that the women were sitting with other people in the courtyard of the complex when two men walked up and opened fire without provocation.

"People were running, screaming, yelling, crying, and all I could do was just look out my window," Janasha Perry, a resident in the complex, told News 4 in July.

Battle's aunt told News 4 at the time that the family believed the shooter was targeting someone else. She said video posted by Battle shows the women were hanging out and playing cards just hours before the shooting. 

Battle left behind a 3-year-old daughter, according to her stepmother, Sandra Burton. Her aunt described Battle as funny, smart and loving, beloved by everyone who knew her. Burton said whoever fired the shot or shots that killed her stepdaughter turned her world upside down.

"I have no forgiveness in my heart right now," she said.

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