Deadly NYC Homeless Shelter Stabbing Was Over Loud Music: DA

Charmaine Crossman, 42, has been indicted for fatally stabbing her roommate in a Midtown East women’s shelter following a dispute. Crossman is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment one count of murder in the second degree.

“New Yorkers living in our shelter system deserve to reside safely and should not have to fear for their lives. This was a tragic incident and I thank our law enforcement partners for their collaboration on this case,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr.

According to court documents and statements made on the record, Crossman and her roommate had been living together for nearly a month. On December 16, 2022, Crossman complained to a supervisor that her roommate was playing loud music. A few minutes later, Crossman entered her room and began spraying air freshener at her roommate and a friend. When the roommate got up to leave, Crossman followed her and began stabbing her repeatedly.

Crossman continued to chase her roommate in the hallways while holding the knife, until she eventually collapsed on the floor, bleeding profusely. Crossman returned to her room and then left through a staircase door with a small backpack. A knife wrapped in a white towel was recovered in a trash can near the shelter.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant D.A. Dasha Kabakova under the supervision of Mireille Dee and Sara Sullivan (Deputy Bureau Chiefs of Trial Bureau 70), David Hammer (Chief of Trial Bureau 70) and Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division).