A disturbing incident unfolded in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood early Tuesday morning when 41-year-old Gabriel Sanchez fatally shot his 32-year-old girlfriend, Celina Ramos, before turning the gun on himself. The murder-suicide, which happened on Jefferson Avenue near Knickerbocker Avenue around 7:30 a.m., has left the community in shock.

Witnesses say Sanchez chased Ramos down the street, grabbed her from behind, and shot her in the head. Moments later, he shot himself in the neck. When the first gunshot didn’t end his life, he fired another round into his head, collapsing beside Ramos’ lifeless body.

Despite the efforts of emergency responders, both were pronounced dead at nearby hospitals. Authorities recovered the firearm at the scene, and surveillance footage confirmed the horrific sequence of events.

A Troubled Relationship Ends in Violence

According to family members, Ramos and Sanchez had been arguing the night before at her Williamsburg apartment, where she lived with her grandmother. At some point, Sanchez stormed out of the apartment. Ignoring her grandmother’s pleas to stay home, Ramos chased after him, saying she’d return in the morning.

Tragically, she never made it back home.

Her devastated family believes that if she hadn’t followed Sanchez that night, she might still be alive today.

“Her grandmother told her, ‘Stay home, you have to take me to a doctor’s appointment tomorrow.’ But she didn’t listen. She said, ‘I’ll be back in the morning,’ and she never came back,” a relative shared.

A History of Troubling Behavior

Further investigations have revealed disturbing details about Sanchez’s past. He was arrested on January 22 for stalking and harassing an ex-girlfriend.

According to police records, he:

Sent sexually explicit pictures of himself to his ex.

Emailed her a photo of her home, making threatening comments.

Was spotted waiting at a bus stop near her home, leading to stalking charges.

He was scheduled to appear in Brooklyn Criminal Court on March 6 to face charges of stalking and aggravated harassment.

Despite this troubling behavior, family members say they never expected him to commit such a brutal act.

“He was a nice kid,” said a relative. “I would never expect him to do something like this. Maybe something snapped. I don’t know.”

Questions Remain About His Mental State

Sanchez had reportedly been experiencing seizures, and just days before the murder-suicide, he had visited Woodhull Hospital for an MRI.

His mental state at the time of the incident is still unclear.

Family members say Sanchez appeared distant and “spacey” at times, and while he briefly worked at a warehouse last summer, he mostly made money on the streets.

Ramos’ Family Left Devastated

Ramos’ family is now struggling to come to terms with her tragic death. Her brother, who introduced her to Sanchez, is wracked with guilt.

“He can’t stop saying, ‘My sister didn’t deserve this,’” a relative said.

She also questioned what Ramos saw in Sanchez, saying:

“I have no idea why she was attracted to him. No idea at all. He did not work. He’s from the street. That’s why I had no idea what attracted her.”

Ramos had recently started a new job at a city call center for the Department of Education. Her coworkers were devastated upon hearing the news, saying she was a kind, hardworking young woman who didn’t deserve such a tragic end.

Community Reacts to the Tragedy

Neighbors in the Bushwick area were shocked to learn about the fatal shooting.

One long-time resident recalled Sanchez as a helpful person, saying:

“He was really nice. He would help me with my groceries.”

Others described him as a quiet but troubled man, adding that his behavior in recent weeks seemed odd.

Krystal Alejandro, a neighborhood resident, shared:

“He was just a regular kid in the street. He would work at night, come home in the morning, and then you wouldn’t see him for the rest of the day.”

Authorities Urge Awareness of Domestic Violence

This tragic case highlights the dangers of domestic violence and toxic relationships.

While Sanchez had no history of abuse toward Ramos, his past stalking behavior suggests a pattern of possessiveness and control.

Experts urge anyone in an unhealthy or dangerous relationship to seek help immediately. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

Final Thoughts

This devastating murder-suicide has left two families mourning and a community in shock.

While investigators work to piece together the full story, one thing remains clear—Celina Ramos was a young woman with a promising future, tragically taken too soon.

Her story is a reminder of the importance of recognizing warning signs in relationships and seeking help before situations escalate to violence.