Apr 15, 2008 12:33 pm US/Eastern
2 Charged With Murder Of Southbridge Mom In NYC
NEW YORK (WBZ) ―
Two men have been arrested for the murder of a young mother from Worcester County in New York City. One of them is the victim's former fiancé.
Chelsea Frazier, 18, of Southbridge was shot and killed in the Bronx Sunday afternoon. Her fiancé Carlos Cruz, 36, was wounded and their 14-month old son Alijah witnessed the attack.
Cruz and his cousin, Devon Miller, 25, of the Bronx, were charged with first-degree murder Tuesday.
Police told The New York Times the killing was made to look like a robbery.
According to WCVBS-TV, Cruz initially said they were lost when an armed man came up to their car and tried to rob them. There was a struggle over the gun and it went off.
Frazier, who was behind the wheel, was shot and killed. Cruz was hit in the leg. The toddler was not hurt.
Frazier's grandparents told WBZ Monday they had concerns about the story Cruz told New York City Police.
"I just don't feel right about the whole thing," said Frazier's grandfather Robert Manthorne. "Something's not right."
According to Manthorne, his granddaughter and Cruz had just broken off an engagement.
"I know he made a verbal threat… he was going to take the baby away from her," said Manthorne. "He was going to do what he had to do."
Cruz was taken to Jacobi Medical Center for treatment after the shooting. According to WCBS, he left the hospital under police escort Monday.
Cruz recently moved to Worcester County from the Bronx. He, Frazier and Alijah lived with Frazier's grandparents in Southbridge.
Alijah is currently in New York State custody.
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