Tragic Incident Involving University Student Fatally Shot After Mistakenly Entering Wrong House
By Matt Coleman
Published January 28, 2024
The incident occurred on August 26, 2023, when 20-year-old Nicholas Donofrio, a University of South Carolina junior, was tragically shot after mistakenly attempting to enter a house near his off-campus home in Columbia.
The Unfortunate Misunderstanding
After a night at a sports bar, Donofrio was put into an Uber to be taken back to the area near his home. However, due to his intoxication, he mistakenly approached the wrong house on South Holly Street, where the fatal events unfolded.
The 911 Calls
Two separate 911 calls revealed the harrowing moments leading up to the shooting. A woman inside the house quietly informed the dispatcher that someone was attempting to break in, reporting knocking, banging, and kicking on the door. This resulted in a fatal gunshot fired through the door, striking Donofrio in the upper body.
Friends' Concern and Fraternity's Response
Concern for Donofrio's well-being arose when his friends hadn't heard from him for an extended period following the incident. They placed their own call to 911, expressing their worry. In the aftermath, Donofrio's fraternity, Phi Kappa Sigma, established a GoFundMe to create scholarships in his name for both USC and his Connecticut high school.
Legal Rulings
No charges were filed against the man who fired the fatal shot, as it was deemed that he was justified in protecting his property under South Carolina law. The 'Stand Your Ground' law permits the use of deadly force against anyone unlawfully and forcefully entering a dwelling.
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