Woman Stabbed to Death in Brooklyn as 9-Month-Old Child Sat in Stroller Nearby; Suspect Arrested: Police

What to Know

  • The 22-year-old woman was stabbed shortly before 12:30 a.m. in Brownsville
  • She was taken to an area hospital but did not survive
  • Witnesses say they saw two women running from the scene

A 22-year-old woman was stabbed to death in Brooklyn Tuesday morning as her 9-month-old child sat in a stroller nearby, police say.

Witnesses said they saw two women running away from the scene at Lott Avenue and Bristol Street in Brownsville immediately after Joann Beauzier was stabbed in the chest.

Police announced Tuesday night they'd arrested 20-year-old Shenia C. Williams of Brooklyn on murder and criminal possession of a weapon charges. It's not clear if she's retained an attorney. 

Hours earlier, officers responded to a 911 call about a disturbance with a knife. When officers arrived at the scene shortly after 12:30 a.m. they found Beauzier with a stab wound to her chest. 

The victim, an employee of the city's Parks Department, according to officials, was taken to a hospital but did not survive.

"I just heard the commotion, I heard screaming," said neighbor Chuckie Woods. "I could see from the window, them pumping the body, pumping the body." 

Police believe the child is now with the father, who may have at one time lived on the block where the woman was stabbed. Beauzier lived in the neighborhood, less than a mile from the scene. 

"She was bettering her own life. She had her own career, she was doing good for herself," said one friend and neighbor. "She was a good mom, took care of her kids. Her kids always came first." 

"For a young lady, 22 years old, pushing a baby in a stroller, to get stabbed to death, it's a tragedy," said Michael Thomas, a community activist. 

It's not clear if Williams knew Beauzier, or what the motive was. 

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