Ericka Brown named as Schenectady shooting victim

SCHENECTADY (NEWS10) — On Wednesday, a tragic shooting rocked the Schenectady community when police responded to reports of a woman being shot at a residence on Charles Street. The victim, identified as 30-year-old Ericka Brown, a mother of three, was killed just hours before her birthday.

According to neighbors, Ericka lived in the house with her mother, sister, brother, and nine of their children. Eyewitnesses recounted a horrific scene where the father of one of Ericka’s children, with whom she was no longer in a relationship, approached her and her sister on the street. Minutes later, the man shot Ericka in the head and then turned the gun on himself, sustaining a non-fatal wound.

An eyewitness described Ericka's tragic end, stating she appeared to die instantly while the man collapsed, gasping for breath moments after shooting himself. Police officers provided immediate medical attention to the man on the front porch of the house, where bloodstains were still visible this morning.

Ericka’s children are currently in the care of family members. Her sister, Kaylee, asked for privacy but shared that the family would hold a gathering this evening to release balloons in Ericka’s memory. Although Kaylee declined to appear on camera, she issued a statement: “My sister was a loving, caring, beautiful free soul… She lived a beautiful life, tragically cut short by the hands of her daughter’s father… This will never be easy, and it’s going to be so hard to heal.”

Ericka and Kaylee had been working together at State Street Car Wash for the past few months. Coworkers described Ericka as carefree and fun, more than just a colleague. They had planned to celebrate her 30th birthday tonight. One coworker recalled seeing her just yesterday, dancing in the rain outside the car wash.

The Schenectady Police Department is continuing its investigation into the incident. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Ericka’s family during this difficult time.