Danny Carpio, 23, was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court on charges of second-degree manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon. Bail was set at 300,000 dollars.

Each count carries a possible 15-year prison sentence.

Carpio, who joined the army about six months ago, was stationed in Fort Hood, Texas, and was on leave when the incident occurred on Wednesday night.

Police said Carpio fired the gun into the air several times when he ran into some friends in the street following a night of partying.

One of the shots pierced the window of a nearby fifth-floor apartment, striking 28-year-old Selina Akthel in the head and killing her instantly.

"As a soldier trained in the safety and handling of weapons both on and off the battlefield, the defendant should have known better than to aimlessly fire a gun in a crowded residential area," Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said in a statement.

"As a result of this thoughtless action, a young woman is now dead and two little children must face the difficult and heartbreaking chore of adjusting to a life empty of their mother's presence," Brown said.

Following the arraignment, Carpio was remanded in custody.