Authorities are currently probing the tragic shooting of a 21-year-old woman in her Queens apartment, investigating the possibility that the assailant was her former abusive boyfriend who resides in South Carolina.
Dashanna Donovan was discovered unresponsive and lying face down in a pool of her own blood at approximately 9:20 p.m. on a Friday, suffering from multiple gunshot injuries to her head and upper body, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, who provided updates during a press conference on Thursday.
Surveillance footage shows Dashanna relaxing in an open courtyard behind her residence, located near 96th Street and 31st Avenue, when she suddenly spotted her attacker rushing towards her.
“From her reaction, it appears she recognized the individual,” Officer Kenny stated to reporters. “In a frantic attempt to escape, she even lost her shoes while fleeing. She tried to find refuge in the building’s basement, but the assailant caught up with her and fatally shot her multiple times.”
The surveillance images captured the gunman donning a distinct blue Under Armor hoodie, seen lurking in the neighborhood as early as 7 p.m. that evening.
“We have footage showing him walking around in the 90s in Jackson Heights, roaming from Astoria Boulevard to Northern Boulevard, before he attacked at 9:20 p.m.,” Kenny explained.
Post-shooting, the suspect was observed taking public transportation back to Manhattan without paying his fare at the Canal Street station, as reported by law enforcement.
“It seems that he traveled from Queens to Lower Manhattan, and we’re continuing to trace his movements using video surveillance,” the NYPD official added.
Investigators were guided to her ex-boyfriend, whom she had previously dated while living in South Carolina, through discussions with Donovan’s family.
Donovan made the decision to relocate to New York six months ago to escape an abusive relationship with the man, who is currently wanted for domestic violence-related charges in South Carolina. The two had previously been employees at Walmart.
While law enforcement has identified a person of interest in the case, they have clarified that they have not yet confirmed any connection to her ex-boyfriend and currently lack probable cause for an arrest.
“We’re considering the possibility that he could be involved, but nothing has been definitively confirmed yet,” Kenny remarked.
Authorities noted that Donovan had not filed any complaints regarding her ex-boyfriend while living in New York.
“She recognized the person and tried to run away, so it’s definitely someone she knew,” her heartbroken mother, Helena Hypolite, shared in a previous phone call. “But who? We are still in the dark; it remains a mystery.”
“I’m devastated,” her mother expressed in a heartfelt statement. “It feels like a part of me has been taken away.”
The young woman’s supervisor at McDonald’s, where she worked, attempted to contact her at 11 p.m. on the night of the murder to ask if she could cover a shift the following day, unaware that she had already lost her life.
“She was employed at a McDonald’s and was known to be a fantastic worker. She typically did the overnight shifts from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.,” Kenny noted.
Donovan, originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands, had a passion for dancing and cherished her mother’s chicken curry, her grieving mother fondly remembered.
“I will miss her smile the most; it brightened up the entire room. She had such a great sense of humor and loved to tell jokes,” her mother reflected mournfully.
If you or someone you know is struggling with issues related to domestic violence, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788 for support.
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