A 20-year old young man attending the University of South Carolina, is dead due to a gunshot wound, after attempting to enter the wrong home.
Colombia Police Department reported the victim was identified as Nicholas Anthony Donofrio from Connecticut by the Richland County Coroner’s Office.
Officers responded to reported home burglary on the 500 block of South Holly Street in Columbia, South Carolina, just before 2 a.m.
“While en route, the emergency call for service was upgraded to a ‘shots fired’ call. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a deceased male on the front porch with a gunshot wound to the upper body,” the statement reads.
Donofrio tried to enter the wrong home on South Holly Street, where he also lived.
The release concluded by stating that “CPD investigations will continue to consult with the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office regarding the circumstances of the case.”
The 500 block of South Holly Street is approximately 2 miles from the campus.
University officials released a statement: “”Our Student Affairs team is providing resources and support to those who may be affected by this tragedy, and we remind all of our students that help is always available to them.”
Donofrio’s neighbor, Kate Reynolds, said, “It’s not how you want to start college and something traumatic. You’re going to have those memories of your friend. The whole experience is kind of tainted with that, too.”
“You think you’re going to be safe sending your kid off, you’re so excited sending your kid to school and something like this happens,” Kate added. “I hate to hear that somebody, even in the neighborhood could do something like this. This is usually such a more welcoming and friendly neighborhood than that.”
According to his Linkedin page, Donofrio was a junior studying kinesiology and exercise science after he previously transferred from the University of New England in 2021, where he played basketball. He also worked full-time “assisting with grounds maintenance for 7 school buildings in the district” for the Guilford Public Schools in Connecticut.
