A 23-year-old woman died and an 8-month-old baby girl was critically injured after police said they were pushed from a 15th-story balcony at 2550 Olinville Ave. early Tuesday.
Police identified the woman as Nathaly Ramirez. Officers were called just after 3:30 a.m. and rushed Ramirez and the baby to Jacobi Medical Center, where Ramirez was pronounced dead, according to police. The baby remained in critical condition.
Neighbors in and around the building said they heard a commotion around 3 a.m. but did not know what had happened until later. Items including a diaper, baby clothes and a stuffed animal were seen near the scene.
“About 3:00 I heard a man yelling ‘Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up!’ Really, really loud and strong,” neighbor Stan Garelik said. “It could have come from anywhere. I’m at the point now for 40 years, a noise doesn’t mean anything.”
Another witness described hearing dogs barking and a scream before seeing something fall.
“I heard a bunch of noise. Dogs barking, yelling, ‘Don’t do this, please look at my baby’s face.’ She’s scared and then there was just like a scream. And I saw something fall and I heard a thump. And I’m just saying to myself I know that isn’t what I just seen,” the witness said.
Detectives were seen going in and out of the building throughout the day. Police have not confirmed additional circumstances surrounding Ramirez’s death.
Neighbors, including some who said they did not know Ramirez, placed candles at a memorial outside the building and said they were praying for the baby’s recovery.
Stephanie McGraw with W.A.R.M., a domestic violence awareness and support group, was among those honoring Ramirez and the baby.
“We are standing here in front of this building because there is a mother who lost her life and her infant child who is clinging to life,” McGraw said. “So at this moment, we stand with the neighbors in support and solidarity of this amazing, beautiful, talented woman who’s no longer with us.”
A neighbor questioned how anyone could harm a woman and baby.
“Why? Why would somebody do this to an innocent baby and an innocent woman?” the neighbor said. “Walk away. Whatever the situation is.”