Alisia Dieudonne, a 19-year-old African American female, was tragically killed on October 2, 2016, in Greensboro, North Carolina. Alisia was a sophomore studying computer science at North Carolina A&T State University and was known for her passion for dance. She was the youngest of five siblings and hailed from Homewood, Illinois. On the night of her death, Alisia attended an off-campus house party near her university.
A fight broke out at the party, and shots were fired, hitting both Alisia and another student, 21-year-old Ahmad Campbell. Both students were innocent bystanders and were not the intended targets of the shooting. They were rushed to the hospital but later succumbed to their injuries.
The Greensboro Police Department launched an investigation into the shooting, and nearly two years later, they made an arrest. Lawrence Baird was identified as the suspect and was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, shooting into an occupied dwelling, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Baird was not a student at North Carolina A&T State University. During his court appearance, Baird's bond was set at $4 million, and he was held at the Guilford County Detention Center with no bond.
In addition to the murder charges, Baird also faced charges of accessory after the fact of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He pleaded guilty to these charges and was sentenced to up to 11 years in jail. The families of Alisia Dieudonne and Ahmad Campbell expressed their grief and the impact of the tragedy on their lives. They spoke in front of a judge during Baird's final sentencing, emphasizing the need to address gun violence and honor the memories of their loved ones.
The North Carolina A&T community and the families of the victims found some measure of closure with Baird's arrest and sentencing. However, the pain of losing Alisia and Ahmad remains, and their families continue to advocate for justice and the prevention of gun violence. The university and the Greensboro community have shown support for the families, and efforts to remember and honor Alisia and Ahmad's legacies continue.
