Ex-Boyfriend Pleads Not Guilty In Murder Of LI Hospital Worker: DA

MINEOLA, NY — A 30-year-old man was arraigned Friday on murder charges connected to the shooting of his ex-girlfriend in a New Hyde Park parking garage.

Quay-Sean Renard Hines, of Bay Shore, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, according to Nassau County officials. If convicted on the top charge, Hines faces anywhere between 40 years to life in prison.

Hines is accused of shooting 33-year-old Queens resident Amelia Laguerre nine times in a Northwell Health-owned parking garage on March 31. Laguerre, who worked for the hospital system, was rushed to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly called it a "particularly callous case," saying that Hines went to the gym less than an hour after the shooting. Officials later confirmed that it was an L.A. Fitness in Levittown.

"This selfish and desperate act — the murder of a young mother — was allegedly driven by the defendant's obsession with their failed relationship," Donnelly said. "After Quay Sean Hines allegedly committed this heinous crime, he carried on as usual and went to the gym and the movies, while family and friends were left to absorb the shock of Amelia Laguerre's tragic loss. Our thoughts are with Amelia's loved ones as we prosecute this case."

Laguerre is survived by her five-year-old child. The father of the child is not Hines, according to officials.

Nassau Police Homicide Detective Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick said the shooting was preceded by months of stalking.

According to Fitzpatrick, Laguerre was in an abusive, two-year relationship with Hines.

"Toward the end of their relationship, she started to confide in family and friends," he said. She described the relationship as "becoming violent and that Quay-Sean had become physically and mentally abusive."

Fitzpatrick said Hines wrecked her property, burnt her clothes, and damaged her son's belongings. Hines was also suspected of breaking into her home in October 2021.

After their breakup in 2021, Hines began to stalk her and show up at her work unannounced, hoping to "rekindle the relationship," Fitzpatrick added. When his efforts weren't reciprocated, Hines would reportedly get into heated arguments with Laguerre and then leave.

Their last interaction, however, turned fatal.

Hines was arrested on April 8, while on his way to work for the U.S. Postal Service, according to authorities.

He is due back in court on June 15.