Shaekeya Danielle Gay, a 23-year-old African American woman, tragically lost her life on August 21, 2017, in Henderson, North Carolina. Shaekeya was born on August 27, 1993, in Vance County to Angela Gay and Victor Kearney. She was a beloved daughter, sister, and friend, remembered for her beautiful smile and loving nature. Shaekeya was employed at Food Lion, where she worked as a cashier.
On the fateful day of August 19, 2017, Shaekeya was taking a break outside her workplace when she was gunned down by her estranged ex-boyfriend, Marcus Tyrell Hargrove, also 23 years old. The incident occurred in the parking lot of the Food Lion on Dabney Drive. Marcus Hargrove, who had a history of domestic violence, violated a restraining order that Shaekeya had filed against him just two weeks prior. The restraining order was issued after Hargrove allegedly pistol-whipped Shaekeya at their home, causing severe injuries that required staples in her head.
Following the shooting, Shaekeya was rushed to Maria Parham Health and later transported to Duke Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries on August 21, 2017. The tragic event left her family and friends devastated, and a makeshift memorial with flowers and written words of comfort was set up outside the Food Lion where she was killed.
Marcus Tyrell Hargrove was initially charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. However, after Shaekeya's death, the charge was upgraded to first-degree murder. Hargrove turned himself in to the police on the same day Shaekeya passed away. In court, Hargrove admitted to the murder and accepted a plea agreement that spared him the death penalty. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Shaekeya's family, including her mother Angela Gay, father Victor Kearney, and sisters Maneisa Gay and Ti'Qura Gay, have been vocal about the need for victims of domestic violence to seek help and support. They held a vigil in her honor and set up a GoFundMe page to assist with funeral arrangements. Shaekeya's untimely death serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of domestic violence and the importance of taking protective measures to ensure the safety of those at risk.
