Quinton Hill

Quinton Sinatra Hill was a beloved father, son, and brother known for his talent in the kitchen and his caring nature. Born on January 24, 1983, in Yalobusha County, Mississippi, the 31-year-old had built a life in Columbus. He attended Columbus High School and had found his passion in cooking, working his way up to the position of sous chef at the popular downtown restaurant, The Front Door/Back Door. He was a longtime, dedicated employee there until the restaurant closed in February 2014. Quinton, a Black man, was a devoted father to his young daughter, Mallory Grace Hill. Those who knew him remembered his kindness and positive presence. After his death, friends flooded his social media page with tributes. “Thank you for being such a caring man in this world,” one friend wrote. “You helped make it a more beautiful place.”

The peace of a summer weekend was shattered in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 6, 2014. Quinton was at his home at 2002 Fourth Avenue South with another man, who was asleep on the living room couch. Shortly before 2:30 a.m., there was a knock at the door. When Quinton went to answer it, an assailant fired a gun directly through the closed door, striking him in the face at point-blank range. The gunman, described only as a Black male wearing a shirt or towel to conceal his face, then forced his way inside the residence.

After shooting Quinton, the intruder went to the living room and woke the other man. He demanded, “give me all your money,” and proceeded to rob the man of his wallet. The assailant also took Quinton’s wallet before fleeing the home with an unknown amount of cash. It was not clear whether he escaped on foot or in a vehicle. The second victim, though robbed, was physically unharmed during the violent home invasion.

Emergency services were immediately called to the scene. Quinton was rushed to the local Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle for initial treatment. Due to the catastrophic nature of his gunshot wound, he was quickly airlifted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson for more specialized trauma care. For two days, medical staff fought to save his life, but his injuries were too severe. Quinton Sinatra Hill passed away at 3:19 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, 2014, with an autopsy later confirming his cause of death.

The Columbus Police Department launched a homicide investigation, with Captain Brent Swan leading the initial efforts. Investigators processed the scene at Quinton’s home and interviewed the witness, but the suspect’s concealed identity and the sudden nature of the attack provided few immediate leads. In the days following the murder, police stated they were actively searching for a suspect but declined to release further details about the ongoing investigation. Friends and former colleagues from The Front Door/Back Door restaurant organized a fundraiser to help support Quinton's family and his infant daughter in the wake of the tragedy.

Quinton was deeply enmeshed in his family and community. He had accepted Christ at an early age at Zion Gate Missionary Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Lee Hill, and his grandparents. He left behind his grieving mother, Mattie C. Hill; his daughter, Mallory; a brother, Jerry Hill Sr.; a sister, Tiffany Buggs Freelon; and several nieces and a nephew, along with a host of other relatives and friends who cherished him. His obituary noted, "Quinton was loved by many and will be truly missed." His funeral service was held on July 19, 2014, at the 15th Street Church of God in Christ, and he was laid to rest at Union Cemetery.

Years have passed since Quinton Hill was murdered in his own home, and the case has grown cold. Despite the initial investigation and pleas for information from the public, no arrests have ever been announced by the Columbus Police Department. The identity of the man who shot him through his front door and the motive for the brutal attack remain a mystery. As of October 2024, the case is considered an unsolved homicide, leaving his family and community without answers or justice. Anyone with information regarding the murder of Quinton Hill is encouraged to contact the Columbus Police Department or Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers.