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09/05/2023 01:07 PMSupport was available for students, teachers, and staff returning to Daniel Hand High School (DHHS) on Aug. 29 following the tragic and unexpected death of a 2021 graduate.
DHHS Class of 2021 graduate Nick Donofrio was shot and killed in the early morning of Aug. 26. According to the Columbia Police Department (CPD) in South Carolina, the shooting occurred just before 2 a.m. on Aug. 26. Donofrio was a student at the University of South Carolina (USC) living off-campus on the same street where the shooting occurred.
Columbia police were called to the 500 block of South Holly Street for a reported home invasion, and while en route, the call was changed to “shots fired.” Police found Donofrio dead on the home’s porch upon arrival.
Investigators said that Donofrio mistakenly went to the wrong home and repeatedly knocked, banged, and kicked at the door while manipulating the door handle. As Donofrio attempted to enter, a female resident dialed 911 and a male resident retrieved a firearm.
“While the female was still on the phone with emergency dispatchers, Donofrio broke the front door glass window and reached inside to manipulate the doorknob. At that time, the male resident fired a single shot through the broken door window, striking Donofrio in the upper body,” according to a CPD statement.
No charges will be filed in Donofrio’s death, according to a statement released by CPD.
“After consulting with the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office regarding the circumstances of the South Holly Street fatal shooting last weekend, charges will not be filed against the homeowner. As a result, the homeowner’s name will not be publicly released. This is a heartbreaking case for all involved,” Columbia Police Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook said in the release. “Our lead investigator has diligently worked to gather all the facts surrounding this incident. He has also maintained contact with the Donofrio family throughout the investigation. We at the Columbia Police Department extend our deepest condolences for their immeasurable loss.”
The decision not to press charges was based on several factors, including “evidence gathered at the scene, review of surveillance video that captures moments before the shooting, audio evidence, and witness statements,” according to the statement. Police are awaiting the results of a toxicology report to determine if Donofrio was impaired at the time of the incident.
Donofrio, a former co-captain of the DHHS basketball team, attended the University of New England for his freshman year before transferring to USC, majoring in kinesiology and exercise science. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity and had just moved into an off-campus house, where he was set to live with four friends for his junior year.
In a statement, the Donofrio family described him as funny, smart, and compassionate.
“We were very proud of Nick. We were very lucky to be his parents and love him very much. He was the son that every parent would wish for. Nick was also loved by his brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family. He had many, many friends, some of whom were like brothers to him. Nick was funny, smart, compassionate, and loved life. We will miss him immeasurably. We are extremely grateful for all the support we have received from family, friends, and the community during this tragic time.”