***WARNING: The following article contains graphic content. Viewer discretion is advised.***
NEW YORK (TNND) — The suspect accused of pushing his 23-year-old ex-girlfriend and their baby girl off a 15th floor balcony in New York was smiling as police led him toward a patrol car after his arrest.
Video shows Angel Carrasco, 31, grinning while wearing a set of handcuffs, with several people off-camera shouting at him.
Nathaly Ramirez was killed and the baby was seriously hurt. Authorities said they believe Ramirez held her daughter tightly during the fall, likely cushioning the infant’s impact and saving her life.
“This horrific tragedy weighs heavily on every team member who worked this case,” U.S. Marshal Ricky J. Patel said in a news release. “We owed it to the brave mother who gave her life to save her child from a vicious individual. While nothing can undo this terrible loss, taking this suspect off the street ensures he will answer for his alleged heinous actions.”
Carrasco was arrested by members of the U.S. Marshals Service and the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force on Thursday, the New York Police Department (NYPD) said. He was accused of shoving Ramirez, 23, and their daughter from the balcony of a Bronx apartment building on October 6.
VIDEO: Man accused of pushing ex-girlfriend & their baby off balcony smiles for cameras (Video: CNN Newsource via WABC)
The NYPD said they found the mother and child outside the apartment suffering from “injuries indicative of falling from an elevated position.” Investigators later determined they had been pushed from the balcony.
“According to witnesses, the mother begged the suspect to stop before plummeting to the ground,” the Marshals Service said.
Neighbors reportedly said they heard yelling leading up to the fall. One resident told ABC7 New York that she heard a woman plead, “Please don’t do this,” moments before Ramirez was found dead.
The media outlet reported that police said surveillance footage showed Carrasco leaving the apartment building after Ramirez’s death. Investigators also found flowers inside her apartment, adding that they believe Carrasco gave them to her in hopes of reconciling after recent arguments, per the outlet.
ABC7 New York reported that there was a documented history of domestic violence involving the couple.
“In January, Carrasco was charged with slapping Ramirez during a dispute involving his ex-girlfriend,” the outlet noted. “Days later, he was charged with burglary after allegedly breaking into Ramirez’s apartment while looking for her.”
A vigil was held for Ramirez following her death, with guests lighting candles and domestic violence advocates attending. Her family was also there.
“She always had a smile on her face, love for everybody,” her grandmother said.
VIDEO: Man accused of pushing ex-girlfriend & their baby off balcony smiles for cameras (Video: CNN Newsource via WABC)
Carrasco was charged with murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, attempted manslaughter, and assault.
The investigation remains ongoing, police said.