Laquita C. Brown, a 39-year-old woman, was tragically killed on May 31, 2019, in a mass shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center in Virginia. She was a dedicated public works right-of-way employee who had served the city for over four years. Her life was cut short when a disgruntled city employee opened fire on his colleagues, claiming the lives of 12 people before he was killed in a shootout with police.
On what should have been a day of celebration for her family, as it was her
father's birthday, Laquita was senselessly murdered at her workplace. Her father, Dwight Brown, received the devastating news while watching the events unfold on television, a memory that undoubtedly haunts him. He described his daughter as a deeply religious and caring person, someone who was always willing to help others and had even participated in humanitarian relief efforts for natural disasters.
Friends and family remember Laquita for her warm and infectious personality. She was known for her bright smile and contagious laugh that could light up any room. Her dedication to her faith as a Jehovah's Witness was a central part of her life; she was actively involved in her ministry, even learning French to better connect with people. Her friend, Zesrauch, tearfully recalled that Laquita 'didn't deserve to die like that' and that she brought smiles, hugs, and positive energy wherever she went.
The shooter, a fellow city employee, had resigned his position that morning before carrying out the deadly attack. He was the sole perpetrator of this horrific act of violence. The community was left to mourn the immense loss of Laquita and the eleven other victims, whose deaths left a profound void in the lives of their loved ones and the city of Virginia Beach.
