Bay Shore man stalked Northwell Health worker Amelia Laguerre before fatal shooting, police say

The man suspected of fatally shooting Northwell Health employee Amelia Laguerre in a company parking garage in New Hyde Park is a former boyfriend who violently abused her and then stalked her when she wouldn’t agree to restart their relationship, Nassau police said Saturday.

Quay-Sean Renard Hines, 30, of Bay Shore, was arrested Friday morning in Merrick on his way to his U.S. Postal Service job, Det. Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick said at a news conference. 

Hines pleaded not guilty to a second-degree murder charge at his arraignment Saturday at First District Court in Hempstead. Nassau County District Court Judge Eileen Goggin ordered him remanded without bail. 

Hines allegedly shot Laguerre, 33, of St. Albans, Queens, nine times on the afternoon of March 31, in the garage at 1999 Marcus Ave., Fitzpatrick said.

She left behind a son. Fitzpatrick said he believes the boy is 5 years old.

District Attorney Anne Donnelly called the killing “a particularly callous case.”

“According to the preliminary investigation, less than one hour after Hines allegedly shot Miss Laguerre, he went to the gym,” Donnelly said.

At the arraignment, Assistant District Attorney Jared Rosenblatt, bureau chief of the district attorney’s homicide squad, said that the day after the shooting, Hines gave police a written statement of his alibi. He gave several false statements and denied he was involved in the shooting, Rosenblatt said.

After police arrested Hines, he gave a video interview admitting he was in the parking garage at the time of the shooting, but he did not admit to the killing, Rosenblatt said.

Fitzpatrick said Hines did not have any prior arrests.

About 25 family members and friends of Laguerre sat in court during the arraignment, some wearing pictures of Laguerre on their T-shirts.

They embraced Laguerre‘s mother, Emily Laguerre Bennett, and others outside the courtroom but declined to comment.

Hines’ mother also sat in court during the arraignment and left without commenting. 

Before the arraignment, Hines was expressionless as police led him from police headquarters toward a car that would take him to the courthouse. Fitzpatrick said Hines had addresses in Rochdale Village, Queens, in addition to Bay Shore.

He and Laguerre dated for about two years and broke up late last year, Fitzpatrick said.

Toward the end of their relationship, he said, Laguerre told family and friends that "Quay-Sean had become physically and mentally abusive. He began to damage her property. He burnt her clothes. He damaged her son’s belongings. And he was suspected of breaking into her apartment in October of 2021.”

After the breakup, Hines stalked Laguerre and showed up unannounced at her workplace “seeking to rekindle their relationship,” Fitzpatrick said. “When his efforts were not reciprocated, he would become involved in a heated argument with Amelia.” 

On March 31, Hines allegedly waited in the garage for Laguerre.

"When Amelia came out to her car, Quay-Sean immediately came up behind her,” Fitzpatrick said. “He shot at her 10 times, striking her nine times.”

Fitzpatrick said police are still searching for the small-caliber handgun that killed Laguerre.

Donnelly said Laguerre was murdered “because the defendant wouldn’t allow her to go on with her life after their relationship.”

“It is important that victims of domestic violence know to speak up and speak out,” Donnelly said. 

Fitzpatrick said that “if you’re afraid to call the police," there are agencies such as The Safe Center LI that can help. The group's 24-hour domestic violence and sexual assault hotline is 516-542-0404. 
Fitzpatrick said Hines is “in another relationship,” and he urged other women whom Hines may have harmed to contact police, a domestic-violence agency or Crime Stoppers, which has a tip line: 800-244-8477.

Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said Northwell “stepped up big-time in cooperating with us to make sure that we get to a successful and quick conclusion for the victim and the victim’s family.” 

Hines' attorney Scott Gross said he entered the not guilty plea on behalf of Hines.

“These are serious and significant charges and we will address any allegations in court,” Gross said. 

Hines is due back in court Tuesday.