Victoria Amanda St. Hillaire, a 28-year-old Asian Trinidadian woman, tragically lost her life on November 25, 2019, in Durham, North Carolina. Victoria was employed at UNC Family Medicine in Durham as a Certified Medical Assistant , where she was known for her positive attitude and dedication to her patients. On the morning of her death, Victoria was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend, 33-year-old Lequintin Ford, in the parking lot of the UNC Family Medicine Center.
Victoria had
previously taken out a domestic violence protective order against Ford, who had a history of abusive behavior and stalking. Despite the protective order, Ford continued to harass and stalk Victoria, leading to multiple police reports and court appearances. On the day of the incident, Ford, who was wearing an ankle monitor as part of the protective order, approached Victoria in the parking lot and shot her before turning the gun on himself.
The tragic event left the community in shock and raised questions about the effectiveness of protective orders in preventing domestic violence. Victoria's family expressed their frustration and disbelief that Ford was not detained earlier, despite his repeated violations of the protective order. The incident highlighted the need for better enforcement of protective orders and more robust measures to protect victims of domestic violence.
In the aftermath of Victoria's death, the UNC Family Medicine Center was closed for several days, and the staff and patients were deeply affected by the loss of their beloved colleague. Victoria's family and friends remembered her as a devoted mother, daughter, and sister who brought joy and positivity to everyone around her. Her death serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of domestic violence and the importance of taking proactive steps to protect those at risk.
