A candlelight vigil will take place on the Town Green on Saturday, Dec. 23 at 6 p.m. in remembrance of Nicholas Donofrio, Daniel Hand High School (DHHS) grad and Madison resident who was shot and killed this past August at the University of South Carolina, where he was a student. A family member has invited residents to participate in the ceremony via social media to remember and honor this young man who held such promise, according to family and friends.

According to law enforcement statements from South Carolina, Donofrio mistakenly tried to enter a dwelling, believing it was his own address on the same street when the frightened homeowner shot him. The city of Columbus police said their subsequent investigation determined the shooting was “justifiable homicide” and did not violate South Carolina law. According to statements from the department, they do not intend to file criminal charges.

According to his obituary, Donofrio was a 2021 graduate of DHHS, where he excelled in several sports. After graduation, he attended the University of New England for his freshman year, then transferred to the University of South Carolina, where he pursued a degree in exercise science.

The candlelight vigil will be held on the Madison Green at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, marking what would have been Donofrio’s 21st birthday.