Nassau DA: Slaying suspect shot ex-girlfriend 9 times in the back

A Bay Shore man killed his ex-girlfriend by shooting her nine times in the back in the underground parking garage of the Northwell Health facility in New Hyde Park, the Nassau County district attorney said Friday after unsealing a new indictment.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said Quay-Sean Hines, 30, fired 10 shots, striking Amelia Laguerre nine times in the back as she left work March 31. She was the mother of a 5-year-old son. 

“This was a young woman who had left this person behind," Donnelly said of Laguerre, 33, of St. Albans, Queens. "She was moving on with her life. She had a job, a family and a young son.

“She was shot in the back nine times. He came up behind her — and as a mother it's unimaginable this would happen to your child."

Hines appeared in a Mineola courtroom Friday and pleaded not guilty to a grand jury's indictment of second-degree murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. He was ordered held without bail. His attorney Scott Gross said he would ask the judge to reconsider bail after reviewing evidence and the allegations of the case.

"This is a terrible tragedy by every measure. But Mr. Hines has entered a plea of not guilty and today we echoed that sentiment," Gross said. "We will engage in the process of discovery and put forth any and all legal claims available in court."

Hines' mother sat behind him in the courtroom and several members of Laguerre's family sat in the back, some wearing T-shirts with her picture embossed on them. 

If convicted, Hines could be sentenced to between 40 years and life in prison.

Police said Hines had been dating Laguerre for about two years and later became abusive. He also was accused of breaking into her apartment and burning her clothes.

Police said he stalked her at work and tried to get back together with her until he waited in the parking lot March 31 and opened fire. 

He was arrested a week later and prosecutors cited statements he gave to detectives, including one admission that he was in the parking garage, but did not admit to the killing. 

At an April 9 arraignment, Donnelly called the killing “a particularly callous case," noting Hines went to the gym less than an hour after the killing.

Hines is set to return for a court hearing June 15.

"He was indicted for the horrific execution of a young woman who leaves behind a child, a brother, a mother, a family," Donnelly said Friday outside court. "I believe it's the first step in gaining what justice we can for this family."

Police said victims of domestic violence should reach out to authorities or groups such as The Safe Center LI that can help. The group's 24-hour domestic violence and sexual assault hotline is 516-542-0404.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.