The grieving parents of a University of South Carolina student who was shot to death when he tried to enter the wrong house just released their “loving, loving” son last week to start his junior year.
Nicholas Anthony Donofrio, 20, — who was found dead about 2 a.m. Saturday on the front porch of his Columbia home — had moved last week into a nearby residence he shared with four friends, his parents told WTNH
They told the outlet that they had joined Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity members to send him off for his junior year.
They declined to discuss the shooting, but described Donofrio as “a great son, loving, caring, all the qualities you want in a son.”
Police said they were called to a report of a break-in at the residence, which is located on the same block where Donofrio lives.
“Preliminary information indicates that Donofrio, who lives on South Holly Street, was trying to enter the wrong house when he was fatally shot,” the statement said.
Police said Donofrio, a Connecticut native, lives on the same street as the home he entered early Saturday, which is less than 2 miles from the university’s main campus.LinkedIn
The young man, who transferred from the University of New England in 2021, is studying kinesiology and exercise science, according to his LinkedIn page.
His parents, who were not named, told the news outlet that Donofrio graduated from Daniel Hand High School in Madison, Connecticut, where he played baseball and basketball.
Officers were called to the home around 2 a.m. for a break-in, but a second call reported shots fired before law enforcement arrived.WLTX/YouTube
His former basketball coach, Jimmy Economopoulos, said the tragic student was team captain his senior year.
“Heartbreaking. When (I heard) the news, my heart just sank,” Economopoulos told CT Insider on Sunday. “He’s just a smart, attractive and charismatic young man. … It wasn’t the phone call I expected yesterday, that’s for sure.”
Police say the shooting is an active investigation.UNE Athletics
Kate Reynolds, a resident of the neighborhood where the shooting happened, said she was shocked that the shooting took a life.
“You think you’re going to be safe sending your child off, you’re so excited to send your child off to school and something like this happens,” Reynolds told WLTX.
“It’s not how you want to start college and something traumatic. You will have memories of your friends. The whole experience is also somewhat tainted by that,” he said.
“I don’t like to hear that person … even in the neighborhood, because this is usually a much friendlier and friendlier neighborhood than that,” Reynolds added.
The first day of classes at the University of South Carolina for the fall semester begins Thursday.
“Our Student Affairs team is providing resources and support to those who may be affected by this tragedy, and we remind all our students that help is always available to them,” the university said in a statement.
The University of South Carolina’s first day of classes for the fall semester began last Thursday. Google Maps
Authorities have not disclosed who shot Donofrio, or if any charges have been filed in the case as the investigation “remains active.”
“CPD investigators will continue to consult with the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office regarding the status of the case,” police said.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
